Scientists and vets are urging the president to afford the world’s most traded species better protections
France’s hunger for frogs’ legs is “destructive to nature” and endangering amphibians in Asia and south-east Europe, a group of scientists and vets have warned.
More than 500 experts from research, veterinary and conservation groups have called on Emmanuel Macron, the French president, to “end the overexploitation of frogs” and afford the most traded species better protections.
The EU imports the equivalent of 80-200 million frogs each year, the majority of which are consumed in France. Most come from wild populations in Indonesia, Turkey and Albania, as well as from farms in Vietnam, according to a study by Robin des Bois and Pro Wildlife, two conservation nonprofits that organised the letter.
The practice is “not at all in line” with the EU’s wildlife strategy, said Sandra Altherr, the head of science at Pro Wildlife. “It’s absurd: the natural frog populations here in Europe are protected under EU law. But the EU still tolerates the collection of millions of animals in other countries – even if this threatens the frog populations there.”
Wait…is it really not a common French thing? Like I didn’t think it was your hamburgers or some shit like that but I figured it was at least somewhat common over there with all the talk about it
The only time I’ve seen frog legs was in biology class. I’ve never seen it on a menu anywhere. It might be a regional thing.
Never ate any, and I don’t know of any restaurant close by that prepares them.
No, it’s really not common. I have maybe ate frogs once in my life and it was so long ago I cannot tell for sure I did.
I’m not French, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they were mostly a tourist thing. I’ve had frog legs before at a fish camp in Florida, and I’m guessing the regulars didn’t normally eat them (although the gator tail was pretty good). They’re kinda slimy and chicken like, they’re a pain to eat, and there’s little meat on them. They’re just not worth the effort.