Animal Equality Calls for a #FoieGrasFreeGB

As the UK begins to negotiate its exit from the EU, we are calling on Parliament to commit to banning foie gras imports – taking effect the day we leave.

What is foie gras? It’s a so called ‘delicacy’ made from the diseased livers of ducks or geese who have been repeatedly force-fed, a process known as ‘gavage’.

Animal Equality has documented the suffering birds endure on more than a dozen Spanish and French farms, including untreated injuries, dead birds in cages with the living, conditions that prevent any natural behavior and animals in constant and extreme pain.

It is illegal to produce foie gras in Britain because of this extreme suffering. Nevertheless, we still import almost 200 tonnes of foie gras from mainland Europe every year for sale in shops and delis, such as Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. And to be served in high-end restaurants.

The UK’s departure from the European Union and associated freedom to change trade regulations provides a unique opportunity for us to ban the importation of this cruel product. A YouGov poll conducted at the beginning of June* showed that less than 10% of Brits consume foie gras and an overwhelming majority support an import ban – 77% of those who expressed an opinion.

You can take action to help ducks and geese by adding your name to our petition calling for a US ban on foie gras.

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,079 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th – 7th June 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).