The French addiction to frog legs is threatening the existence of frog populations outside the EU, more than 550 veterinarians, researchers and conservationists have warned in a letter to Emmanuel Macron. Although frog populations living in the EU are protected from commercial exploitation, the bloc imports more than 4,000 tons of frozen frog legs each year, with 3,000 tons consumed by France, Sky News notes.
The addiction of Europeans – and particularly the French – to frog legs has jeopardized the survival of some frog species, Sky News reports.
This was reported in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron by more than 550 veterinarians, researchers and conservationists. The experts called on the EU to stop the “overexploitation” of frogs in Asia and Southeast Europe.
“We believe France has a special responsibility and should take the lead on this issue,” the experts added.
The letter notes that frog populations living in France and the EU are protected from commercial exploitation. Nevertheless, the EU imports more than 4,000 tons of frozen frog legs every year – meaning that 80 to 200 million amphibians go under the knife. According to environmental activists Robin des Bois and Pro Wildlife, France consumes 3,000 tons.
The bulk of the frogs supplied to the EU are from wild populations in Indonesia, Turkey and Albania, and several species and populations are already experiencing significant declines, the letter said.
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