DISINFO: EU citizens will eat worms due to anti-Russian sanctions
SUMMARY
The use of yellow mealworm larvae powder in the food industry is a consequence of the West's sanctions against Russia. These sanctions have led to the closure of industries in European countries, caused serious problems in the agricultural sector, and resulted in the collapse of the economy. The European Union decided to replace agricultural produce with worms and larvae instead of supporting its local agricultural producers. No-one in Europe thinks that the industrial farming of insects and their consumption may cause serious diseases. Nothing personal, just business.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that EU sanctions, imposed on Russia, are counterproductive and harm the European Union itself.
There have been no food shortages in the EU as a consequence of EU sanctions on Russia. The use of insect-based ingredients in food is a global trend driven by considerations of sustainability, nutrition, and food security, rather than by sanctions. This is part of a broader shift towards alternative protein sources, not a direct result of sanctions. The EU adapts its economic and industrial strategies according to global trends, environmental goals, and domestic priorities.
While EU sanctions may have caused some economic problems, particularly in sectors like energy, the overall impact on the EU economy has been relatively limited, especially compared to the harm inflicted on Russia. The EU’s economy is much more robust than Russia's, allowing the Union to mitigate the effects of sanctions by diversifying energy sources and supporting affected industries. The sanctions, which were initially put in place in response to Russia’s aggression of Ukraine in 2014 when it illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula, have been designed to pressure Moscow into changing its aggressive behaviour. Additional restrictive measures have been put in place since Russia launched its unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of of Ukraine in 2022.
In the long run, these sanctions are likely to have a greater economic impact on Russia, restricting its access to technology, capital, and markets. This narrative is designed to discredit Western policies while deflecting attention from Russia’s own economic difficulties and the consequences of its actions. It helps shift attention away from the negative effects of Russia’s actions and the economic consequences of its own policies.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Sanctions on Russian fertilisers will fully destroy Europe’s agriculture, that Sanctions imposed on Russia only led to economic growth in the country, and that Russia grows despite EU sanctions.