Concerns Raised as French Demand for Frogs’ Legs Endangers Frog Species, Environmentalists Alert Macron
Environmental campaigners caution French President Emmanuel Macron as the demand for the traditional French dish of cuisses de grenouille, known as frogs’ legs, puts certain frog species at risk of extinction.
The popularity of frogs' legs, a famous French delicacy known as cuisses de grenouille, is putting certain frog species at risk of extinction, according to a group of over 500 environmental activists who recently sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron.
The letter, organized by French nonprofits Robin des Bois and Vétérinaires pour la Biodiversité (Veterinarians for Biodiversity), as well as German charity Pro Wildlife, highlighted the concerns of 557 signatories. They pointed out that a staggering 4,070 tons of frozen frogs' legs are imported into the European Union annually, which is equivalent to anywhere between 80 million to 200 million frogs, depending on the species' size.
A joint study by Robin des Bois and Pro Wildlife found that France alone consumes more than 3,000 tons of frozen frogs’ legs a year.
Frogs stand in a pond in a frog farm in Pierrelatte, south of Lyon, on September 30, 2020.
Frogs stand in a pond in a frog farm in Pierrelatte, south of Lyon, on September 30, 2020.
Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images
The letter mentioned that the majority of these frogs are sourced from the wild in Indonesia, Turkey, and Albania, where certain frog species are facing a significant decline. In Vietnam, frogs' legs are also exported in large quantities, but they are usually from farmed frogs rather than wild ones, as stated in a media release accompanying the letter.
A total of 557 individuals who signed the letter, working in research, nature conservation, and veterinary medicine, proposed that France should take on the responsibility of protecting frog species. This is because France is the leading consumer of frogs' legs in the European Union.
Recent studies have shown that common species like the crab-eating frog and the rice-field frog are decreasing in numbers. This decline is attributed to the extensive commercial harvesting and exports that have been happening for years. 
Fejervarya limnocharis, or rice-field frog, is one of the species in decline.
Arun Roisri/Moment RF/Getty Images
Although frog populations native to the EU are safeguarded against "commercial exploitation" by the Habitats Directive, the protection does not cover species brought into the region.
Sandra Altherr, head of science at Pro Wildlife, expressed disbelief, stating, "It's illogical: the natural frog populations in Europe are shielded by EU law. Yet, the EU allows the gathering of millions of animals in other countries, even if it jeopardizes frog populations there. This goes against the EU's current biodiversity strategy."
Alain Moussu, president of Veterinarians for Biodiversity, explained that veterinarians are part of this initiative because they care about the welfare of animals in the market and are worried about the negative impact on the environment due to the decline in amphibian populations. He also mentioned that the decrease in frog populations could lead to an increase in mosquito populations, which could potentially affect human health.
The group of signatories urged France to come up with plans to protect frog species that are at risk of disappearing. They also emphasized the importance of having international trade regulations in place to monitor and ensure the sustainability of the frog legs trade.
CNN has reached out to the Élysée Palace for comment.
Editor's P/S:
The rampant consumption of frogs' legs has become a major environmental concern, threatening the survival of certain frog species. Despite the protection of native European frog populations, the lack of regulations for imported frogs has led to unsustainable harvesting and exports. This has resulted in a significant decline in species like the crab-eating frog and the rice-field frog, primarily sourced from Indonesia, Turkey, and Albania.
The alarming rate of frog population decline is not only a conservation issue but also has potential implications for human health. Frogs play a vital role in controlling mosquito populations, which are vectors for diseases like malaria and dengue fever. The decrease in frog numbers could lead to an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, posing a significant threat to public health. Urgent action is needed to establish international trade regulations and protect frog species from extinction. France, as the leading consumer of frogs' legs in Europe, has a responsibility to take the initiative in ensuring the sustainability of this industry and preserving the biodiversity of these animals. legs with the conservation of these valuable amphibians, considering their ecological importance and the potential impact on human health due to mosquito population increases.
