Celeb calls to ban foie gras
Lumley urges an end to imports over ‘cruelty of force-feeding’
ACTRESS and animal welfare campaigner Joanna Lumley has called on the Government to use new postbrexit freedoms to ban the import of foie gras produced by force-feeding ducks and geese.
Such force-feeding has been banned in Britain for 15 years.
Now the UK has left the EU, the Government is considering if “further steps” could be taken to stop foie gras produced by force-feeding being imported to the Uk.absolutely Fabulous
star Joanna, 75, urged ministers to take action, saying: “Please turn your back on this awful cruelty and support a ban on foie gras in our country. It’s
time we stopped kidding ourselves about our food and its origins.” The National Farmers’ Union backs an import ban on foie gras – made from the liver of the birds.
And James West, of Compassion in World Farming, said: “We have no doubt such a move would be widely supported by the British public, many of whom can’t understand how this inhumane food can be allowed on British plates.” Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has pushed for a timetable for a ban on its import and sale. She told the Sunday Express: “Britain prides itself on being a nation of animal lovers and we even have a Bill before Parliament which recognises animals as sentient beings.
“If we really care about animals, we need to ban foie gras because the way geese are treated causes undeniable pain.”
Environment Ministervictoria Prentis said: “We are now considering any further steps that could be taken in relation to foie gras that is produced overseas using force-feeding practices, such as restrictions on import and sale.”