Questo allevamento di polpi non s’ha da fare. Né domani, né mai? Considerazioni sull’applicabilità del diritto internazionale e del diritto dell’Unione europea

In November 2021, Grupo Nueva Pescanova presented a project for an octopus (Octopus vulgaris) farm, with an annual production capacity of 3000 tons, asking the competent authorities of the Canary Islands for the necessary authorizations for the planned activity in the port of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria. The request is still pending before the Spanish authorities, in particular as regards the environmental impact assessment of the project. On the basis of reliable scientific studies and ethical and legal considerations, numerous non-governmental organizations have undertaken various initiatives to stop the Nueva Pescanova project as it would violate the rules on animal welfare and environmental protection. The present paper examines the applicability of international and EU law to the case of the planned octopus farm from the dual perspective of the rules and principles that provide for animal welfare and those that protect the environment, with particular focus on sustainability issues. In this regard, the consumer can also play a significant role in protecting these animals that are not suitable for farming.