Ban on Frog Leg Imports Demanded

Switzerland imports around 65 tonnes of frog legs and live frogs annually.

Several hundred million frogs are killed in agony worldwide every year. Usually only their legs are eaten; the rest is discarded. The Swiss Animal Protection STS supports a demand by National Councillor Meret Schneider (Greens/ZH) to impose an import ban in Switzerland on frog legs and live frogs for consumption purposes.

From an animal welfare perspective, the consumption of frog legs is a reprehensible “pleasure”. The frogs have their legs cut off, usually while still alive. The animals bleed to death in great pain and while fully conscious. There are no international standards for the humane procurement, keeping and slaughter of amphibians. Nor does any certification exist that could verify acceptable production conditions — especially since the production sites are often entirely unknown.

The importation of so-called «delicacies» produced through animal cruelty must finally come to an end.

Nicole Ruch, President of Swiss Animal Protection STS.

Harmful Consequences for People, Animals and the Environment

In addition to the animal welfare concerns, there are massive risks in the areas of species and nature conservation. The large-scale removal of insect-consuming frogs leads to the uncontrolled increase of agricultural pests, necessitating the use of toxic pesticides, with harmful consequences for people, animals and the environment. A recent study indicates that certain water frog species in Turkey face extinction within the next ten years if the overexploitation of their populations continues unchecked.

The Federal Council Has It in Its Hands

In Switzerland, all native frogs are protected; however, the import of live frogs for consumption or frog legs is legal. Switzerland imports approximately 65 tonnes of frog legs and live frogs annually. With a motion, National Councillor Meret Schneider (Greens/ZH) seeks to put an end to this animal cruelty: she demands that the Federal Council issue an import ban on frog legs and live frogs for food purposes. Under the Federal Agriculture Act, certain regulations (including import bans) may be enacted for products produced using methods that are prohibited in Switzerland. The Animal Welfare Act also empowers the Federal Council to ban the import of animals or animal products on animal welfare grounds. From the perspective of the Swiss Animal Protection STS, an import ban would send a strong signal: it would increase pressure on producers to finally define and implement international standards for the humane treatment of frogs intended for consumption.

Link to Motion NR Schneider:

www.parlament.ch/de/ratsbetrieb/suche-curia-vista/geschaeft?AffairId=20224185