UK export of millions of endangered eels to Russia attacked as ‘bonkers’

Critics say eels could be smuggled eastwards towards Asia but exporter says they are for ‘restocking’ project

Millions of critically endangered eels have been exported from the Severn estuary to Russia this year and conservationists fear export quotas will be increased next year.

A tonne of glass eels, the young elvers that swim into European estuaries from the Sargasso Sea each spring, was flown to Kaliningrad this year, double the amount exported to the Russian port the previous year.