There have been reports in the Times, Daily Mail and I news in recent days regarding the potential for future restriction of foie gras sales in the UK to protect animal welfare.
The production of foie gras was banned in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which made it a criminal offence not to provide for an animal’s welfare needs or to allow an animal to suffer unnecessarily.
This includes meeting an animals needs for a suitable diet and protecting animals from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Now that the UK has left the European Union, the government is exploring further restrictions that could be introduced in order to address welfare concerns surrounding the production of foie gras.
A Defra spokesperson said:
The Government has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns, and the practice is rightly banned in the UK.
The government is considering the further steps it could take in relation to foie gras.
3 comments
Comment by Timothy cassel posted on
I have always been law abiding. I have never taken drugs. But I am now about to become a smuggler. This is a disgraceful ban and there will be an enormous black. Arket for this product.
Comment by John W. Baxter posted on
It would be very interesting to see what the British Veterinary perspective is on the welfare of geese and ducks force fed in Europe to provide us with that necessary staple of foie gras, not unlike white veal from anaemic calves raised in Europe along with tethered sows.......I am so glad that we have moved on, but what does the veterinary profession in this country have to contribute to ministers considering animal welfare?.
Comment by Bethan Jones posted on
About time! It is a disgrace that just because we were part of Europe we stood by and allowed this cruelty to continue. No living thing should suffer for the benefit or 'enjoyment' of any other living thing. It should be banned across all countries, regardless.