Why the foie gras import ban is at risk, and how to save it

Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese multiple times a day. A tube is pushed down their throats and food is pumped into their bodies until their livers become diseased and swell to ten times their normal size. The cruelty is so clear-cut that the UK banned its production nearly twenty years ago, yet we still import it. And a Government that promised to change that is now, reportedly, preparing not to.

A promise made

Before the 2024 General Election, the Labour Party committed to banning the commercial import of foie gras. Steve Reed made that pledge directly to voters after watching footage obtained by Animal Equality inside a foie gras farm, and later became Environment Secretary. Days later, the Labour Party officially confirmed that they would end these cruel and hypocritical imports.

Labour won the election. Then the waiting began.

Years of silence since

After the election, Animal Equality and cross-party MPs have pressed the Government repeatedly on its timetable to implement a ban. The answer, each time, was vague and non-committal responses, acknowledging that foie gras produced by force-feeding raises serious welfare concerns, is incompatible with our animal welfare laws, and that the Government is continuing to consider the evidence and options (as though 20 years of a domestic production ban had somehow left the question open).

At no point since coming into power has the Government provided any meaningful or tangible plan for action on this issue.

Trade negotiations put the ban at risk

In May 2025, a new complication emerged when the UK and EU began resetting their trade relationship, working towards arrangements that would reduce trade friction on both sides. 

Animal Equality pushed hard on what that will mean in practice, questioning whether the UK will retain the ability to go further than the EU on animal welfare, or if this desire for a smoother deal could quietly erode the commitments made to British voters? We’ve been met only with secrecy and ambiguous assurances.

Check out our video explainer here for a rundown of what this means for animals:

We’re acting for animals

We have organised protests, supported MPs in tabling Parliamentary questions, coordinated an expert-led Parliamentary roundtable, and personally delivered 318,000 petition signatures to Downing Street. Through all of it, Ministers continued to acknowledge that force-feeding is cruel and incompatible with UK standards, while declining to say when – or whether – they would act.

Then on 5^th April, the Guardian reported that the Government was planning to abandon its foie gras ban promise entirely in order to smooth EU trade negotiations. 

This is not about a lack of evidence or public support, it is a political choice to sacrifice an animal welfare commitment the moment trade talks make it inconvenient. A product the Government’s own Ministers describe as incompatible with this country’s welfare standards is apparently acceptable to keep importing, so long as it keeps the negotiations tidy.

Electoral promises shouldn’t come with expiry dates, and animal cruelty doesn’t become less cruel because a trade deal is on the table. Animal Equality will keep pressing. No force-feeding, no cruelty, no more excuses! 

How you can help

We need to be louder than ever, to show that this foie gras import ban is what people across the UK want. 

Join hundreds of thousands of others and sign our petition today:

Petition Letter

We, the undersigned, join Animal Equality in calling for a ban on the importation of foie gras produced by force-feeding into the UK.

Foie gras produced by force-feeding is immensely cruel and causes unimaginable suffering to millions of birds each year around the world. The force-feeding process – also known as gavage – involves forcing a tube down the throats of terrified ducks and geese, to shoot inside of them larger amounts of food than they would ever willingly ingest.

There is an abundance of scientific evidence showing that foie gras production by force-feeding generates severe physical and psychological pain for the animals involved, not only exclusively when the tube is inserted in their throats, but also during other times throughout their short lives. The production process causes their livers to swell to ten times their natural size, at which point the animal’s diseased liver is sold and marketed as foie gras.

There is a serious strength of feeling on this issue. With cross-party political support and a YouGov poll revealing that the majority of Brits are in support of a ban, the UK has taken a clear stance on this issue. Strong legislative action is necessary in order to protect animal health and welfare, and public morality in British society. 

As you will no doubt be aware, the process of gavage is considered incompatible with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (2006), as well as The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). Domestic legislation states that:

‘Animals shall be fed a wholesome diet which is appropriate to their age and species and which is fed to them in sufficient quantity to maintain them in good health, to satisfy their nutritional needs and to promote a positive state of well-being.’

And that:

‘No animals shall be provided with food or liquid in a manner, nor shall such food or liquid contain any substance, which may cause them unnecessary suffering or injury.’

Despite this, the UK continues to import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of this product each year, with many retailers and delis profiting from this cruelty.

There is no viable justification to delay a ban on products made by force-feeding further. The British public is expecting you to take action. Your fellow political colleagues support a ban.

We call on you to take this opportunity to speak up for ducks and geese and begin drafting legislation for a ban without delay.

We, the undersigned, look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely,

Abigail Penny

Executive Director, Animal Equality UK

Thank you for signing this important petition.

Before you go, remember that we are up against a huge, multi-million-pound industry. That is why one powerful way to ensure we can continue this difficult fight is by making a donation.

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Abigail Penny

Executive Director Animal Equality UK

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THANK YOU!

Your actions are changing the world for animals everywhere. Thank you again for your support and we’ll keep you informed on any progress we make.

For the animals,

Abigail Penny

Executive Director, Animal Equality UK

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END THE CRUELTY

Foie gras is immensely cruel. Its production causes ducks and geese severe physical and psychological pain. You can protect ducks and geese by opting for plant-based alternatives.

Try Plant-Based Today