Foie gras import ban linked to UK-EU trade talks
The government’s promised ban on commercial foie gras imports now depends on the outcome of UK-EU trade negotiations, more than two years after Labour committed to the ban without any such condition.
Animal Equality UK analysed government responses to parliamentary questions over the past two years. It found that ministers have given four different justifications for the delay since the pledge was made, each tying the ban to other government work.
Shifting justifications
In August 2024, ministers said a ban would be considered as part of a forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy. By February 2025, the government was referring to its Trade Strategy instead. In June 2025, the ban was linked to a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, which was still being negotiated. By October 2025, the government’s position was that Defra was “continuing to consider the evidence and options.”
In April 2026, an MP asked directly whether the ban had been made conditional on the outcome of the SPS negotiations. The government confirmed that it had and said it could not comment further while talks were ongoing.
Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK, said:
It’s been delay after delay with this ban – always another condition, another excuse. These animals don’t care about trade deals and strategies, they care about a Government that keeps its word. With the goalposts constantly shifting, it’s necessary to question whether ministers actually intend to follow through at all.
She added: “Foie gras is made by force-feeding terrified ducks and geese until their livers are diseased. It’s been illegal to produce in the UK for two decades, and the public has made it clear that they don’t want it imported either. The Government must prove that it means what it says and get this over the line, or risk seriously disillusioning the public.”
Public support and campaign activity
Our petition calling for a ban on foie gras imports has passed 329,000 signatures. YouGov polling commissioned by Animal Equality UK found that nearly nine in ten British adults support an end to foie gras sales, excluding those who answered “don’t know”.
Last month, campaigners held a banner-drop at Embankment, opposite the Houses of Parliament. We are also running 150 advertisements across England calling on the government to deliver the ban.
Producing foie gras by force-feeding ducks or geese has been banned in the UK since 2007, but importing it remains legal.
What can you do?
Sign our petition and add your voice to those calling for a ban on foie gras imports. But helping animals can be a daily choice, by leaving them off our plates. Try our free plat-based cookbook today!
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.