Today (2 December) with Eurogroup for Animals, we brought EU policymakers, scientists and civil society together in the European Parliament in Brussels, to shine a light on the urgent need to ban octopus farming. Our message was clear: this emerging industry poses a serious risk to animal welfare, marine ecosystems and food security, and the EU must act now.

The event, Time for the EU to Stop Octopus Farming, hosted by MEPs Anja Hazekamp and Emma Fourreau showcased the powerful scientific evidence of octopus sentience, the negative impact of octopus farming on fishstocks due to its reliance on wild-caught fish for feed, and discussed legal pathways for the European Commission to ban octopus farming on welfare and environmental grounds.

With upcoming proposals on the Ocean Act and commitments in the EU’s Strategic Aquaculture Guidelines, speakers emphasised that introducing octopus farming would be a step backwards for the health of our oceans and animal welfare.

The dangers of carnivorous aquaculture

Our Senior Research and Policy Adviser Dr Elena Lara presented findings from our latest report The Growing Threat of Carnivorous Aquaculture. She warned of the disastrous implications that octopus farming and the expansion of carnivorous aquaculture would have on the marine environment, animal welfare, and food security.

Young advocate demands EU action

The event also saw young octopus activist Lily Niederhofer urgently calling on European lawmakers to sign our pledge to stop octopus farming before it emerges and introduce a full ban on the practice.

Vinciane Patelou, Head of EU at Compassion in World Farming, said:

Confining octopuses in underwater factory farms is not just cruel, it’s also a huge threat to marine ecosystems and food security.

Banning this practice before it fully emerges and ensuring that only sustainable aquaculture is promoted in the EU is paramount to avoid confining yet another species to the horrors of industrial farming.

Keri Tietge, Aquatic Animals Project Officer at Eurogroup for Animals, said:

As the EU considers the future of aquaculture, it must draw a clear line: cephalopod factory farming has no place in a sustainable food system. The scientific evidence makes it clear that these animals cannot be farmed humanely or without serious ecological cost. Acting now, before the industry expands, is essential to protect both animal welfare and our oceans.

Emma Fourreau, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), said:

Octopus farming must be banned in Europe. It is a harmful and unnecessary practice that threatens billions of sentient animals and places additional pressure on already fragile marine ecosystems.

As a member of the Committee on fisheries in the European Parliament, I remain committed to fighting for aquatic animal welfare and protect our ocean.

Isabella Lövin, another MEP attending the panel, said:

As the coordinator for the Greens group in the European Parliament PECH Committee, I am committed to fostering sustainable aquaculture development in the EU, including promoting practices that do not depend on wild fish as a source of feed.

For this reason, I will advocate for a preemptive EU ban on octopus farming, in view of the unacceptable risks on animal welfare and on the environment this practice could yield if it were to see the light of day.

Speakers at the event included:

Dr Elena Lara, Senior Research & Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming
Emma Fourreau, MEP
Isabella Lövin, MEP
Jennifer Jacquet, Professor of Environmental Science & Policy at University of Miami
Juliette Robert, Lawyer at Baldon Avocats
María González Lacabex, Attorney at INTERCIDS
Jorge Pueyo, Member of the Congress of Deputies in Spain
Tobias Troll, Marine Policy Director at Seas at Risk
Lily Niederhofer, young octopus advocate.

The EU must ban octopus farming