West Africa: Fishmeal and fish oil imports from West Africa to Europe expose broken food system

Published 2021년 6월 1일

Tridge summary

A new report by Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets has uncovered how European companies are contributing to the diversion of essential fish resources in West Africa, affecting the food security of over 33 million people in the region. The report reveals that over half a million tonnes of small pelagic fish are extracted annually for conversion into feed for aqua- and agriculture farming, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pet food products in Europe, rather than being consumed locally. The trade involves major European companies and retailers, with the government's failure to manage the common small pelagic fish resource and protect the livelihoods of local communities. Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets are calling on companies, policy makers, and governments to cease the practice of exporting fish fit for human consumption from West Africa to satisfy the demand for fishmeal and fish oil in the European Union and Norway.

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Original content

Dakar — Every year, European companies contribute to a tragic diversion of fresh fish essential in maintaining food security for over 33 million people in the West African region. This is the conclusion of a new report by Greenpeace Africa and Changing Markets, Feeding a Monster: How European aquaculture and animal feed industries are stealing food from West African communities. The report reveals how more than half a million tonnes of small pelagic fish are extracted every year along the coast of West Africa and converted into feed for aqua- and agriculture farming, dietary supplements, cosmetics and pet food products outside the African continent.[1] "The fishmeal and fish oil industry as well as all governments and companies supporting them are basically robbing local populations of livelihoods and food. This goes against international commitments on sustainable development, poverty alleviation, food security, and gender equality," said Dr Ibrahimé Cissé, Senior Campaigner at ...

Source: All Africa