Foodwatch Advocates for Norwegian Salmon Ban in Germany

Foodwatch, a consumer protection organization, has called for a halt to the sale of Norwegian salmon in Germany. They urge supermarkets to cease offering these products due to the significant animal suffering and environmental damage attributed to salmon farming in Norway. A study revealed that one in four young salmon die during rearing, with around 100 million fish perishing before slaughter last year. Infectious diseases are cited as the main cause, with one in six larger salmon dying in cages.

The organization asserts that a significant portion of the salmon in German supermarkets likely comes from farms where the fish are sick. They demand that retailers such as Rewe, Edeka, Aldi, and Lidl stop selling Norwegian salmon until conditions improve. Annemarie Botzki from Foodwatch emphasizes the need for retailers to take responsibility and not hide behind questionable certifications like the ASC, which do not guarantee environmental protection or good animal welfare.

Foodwatch highlights the inadequacy of traceability, noting that out of ten ASC-certified products sampled, only two could be traced back to a specific farm. The organization calls for stringent guidelines on animal health, thorough monitoring, and severe penalties for violations to address these issues and protect the environment. With half of the salmon on German shelves originating from Norway, Foodwatch insists on urgent action to mitigate the suffering and ecological impact of salmon farming.