Cabinet outrage leads to U-turn on foie gras import ban

GOVERNMENT plans to ban imports of fur and foie gras are to be scrapped after Cabinet ministers voiced their opposition to the moves, it has emerged.

The measures were due to be included in the forthcoming Animals Abroad Bill as part of Britain’s “commitment to upholding its world-leading standards in animal welfare”.

But several Cabinet ministers have opposed the proposals, with Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees Mogg saying the Government should not be limiting personal choice and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace raising concerns about banning the bear fur used by the military for the hats worn by Guardsmen.

Mr Wallace said the fur used in the hats is responsibly sourced under a cull run by the Canadian government.

British farmers are banned from producing foie gras, as its production involves force-feeding ducks or geese.

Fur farming has also been illegal in the UK since 2000.

Measures in the Animals Abroad Bill that are set to go ahead include a ban on importing hunting trophies from threatened species like lions, elephants and rhinos and a crackdown on holidays that lead to the abuse of elephants and other animals.

Mr Rees Mogg is understood to have argued that the Government should not be imposing restrictions on consumers and that any ban on foie gras imports would have no impact on animal welfare in the UK.

Other ministers including Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis raised concerns the measures would not have included Northern Ireland, creating different rules in different parts of the UK.

Animal welfare campaigners have reacted angrily to the proposed fur and foie gras ban being shelved.

Abigail Penny, executive director at Animal Equality UK, said: “Foie gras is a cruel food product. We’re horrified that they are considering a U-turn at the final hurdle and the majority of the British public will feel the same.

“It’s a crime to produce foie gras in the UK so it is completely hypocritical to allow its import.”

Claire Bass, executive director at the Humane Society International UK, added: “We import the equivalent of two million animals a year for their fur, which is not only horrific but hypocritical, given that we banned the production of fur in our own backyard.”

A Government spokesperson said no final decision on imports had been made but that ministers were committed to “world-leading reforms” to improve animal welfare in the UK.

The spokesman said the Government had committed to building a “clear evidence base to inform decisions on the import of foie gras”.