Presence of mercury in marine environments
15.1.2025
Question for written answer E-000142/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Carola Rackete (The Left)
The adoption of the Minamata Convention in October 2013 has helped to bring down new mercury and methylmercury levels in marine environments. However, despite the reduction in mercury emissions, mercury levels in tuna have remained unchanged.
Two major NGOs, Bloom Association and Foodwatch, recently published a report entitled ‘Toxic tuna: chronicle of a health scandal’ concerning a study in which an independent laboratory was commissioned to analyse 148 tins of tuna sampled from the ten biggest supermarket chains in Italy, Germany, France, England and Spain.
It turns out that 100 % of the tins sampled were contaminated with mercury, while 57 % had mercury levels that exceeded the EU maximum limit for prey fish. Record levels of mercury (3.9ºmg/kg) were found in a Petit Navire tin purchased in a Carrefour in Paris.
EU regulations set different maximum mercury levels for prey (0.3ºmg/kg) and predatory (1ºmg/kg).
In the light of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the above report, of the number and types of tests that have been carried out in Europe on fishery products and of the results thereof?
- 2.Will the Commission take further steps in line with the Minamata Convention to reduce mercury pollution in the marine environment?
Submitted: 15.1.2025