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Ban foie gras imports in the UK

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

THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING FARMED ANIMALS!

Please help spread the word. Share the petition with your friends and family.

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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Force-feeding is animal abuse

Cruel force-feeding of duck for foie gras
Twice a day for weeks, ducks and geese have metal feeding tubes brutally forced down their throats. Workers pump up to 2 kilograms (4.4lb) of corn mash into their stomachs – the equivalent of force-feeding a human 12 kilograms (30.8lb) of food daily.

Many birds die before reaching slaughter. Those who survive cannot walk, breathe properly, or perform most of their natural behaviours.
Duck goose liver for foie gras
The force-feeding makes the birds’ livers grow to up to ten times their natural size – a pathological condition called hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease). The organ becomes completely diseased, causing extreme pain. This diseased liver is then cut out, sold as ‘foie gras’, and served in UK restaurants, despite production being illegal to produce here on animal cruelty grounds.
Duck geese in cages foie gras farm
Between force-feeding sessions, the birds are confined to tiny, filthy cages – often on wire floors with no bedding. They cannot spread their wings, bathe, or escape.

Our investigators documented birds with untreated injuries, open wounds, and respiratory distress from the feeding tubes.

WHAT WE’RE DEMANDING

The Government promised. Now they must deliver.

In June 2024, the Government and Labour MP Steve Reed – former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – promised to ban foie gras imports. This promise remains unfulfilled.

We’re demanding the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

  • Immediately ban the importation and sale of all foie gras and other products made by force-feeding
  • Stop the hypocrisy: If it’s too cruel to produce here, it’s too cruel to sell here

Nearly 9 in 10 Brits support this ban (84% in latest YouGov polling, excluding the don’t know responses). The public has spoken. Politicians must act.

I WANT TO SIGN

WHY YOUR SIGNATURE MATTERS

We’ve built unstoppable momentum.

We’ve been leading the charge on this issue for many years. In September 2021, we delivered 225,000 signatures to Downing Street with actor Peter Egan and Michelin-starred chef Alexis Gauthier. Politicians took notice. We secured cross-party backing, a Parliamentary debate, and a pre-election promise from the current Environment Secretary.

Then the Government went silent.

So in March 2026, we came back – this time with over 315,000 signatures. We returned to Downing Street to remind them: we haven’t forgotten their promise, and we’re not going away.

Every signature makes it harder for DEFRA to keep stalling. The more people sign, the more political pressure builds, the closer we get to saving these animals.

We’ve proven they can’t ignore us. Now we will prove that we won’t go away.

We’ve organised protests, secured celebrity endorsement, secured front-page news coverage, and even delivered a cake to the Government to mark the one year unhappy anniversary after it pledged to ban foie gras imports and has failed to follow through. Sustained pressure works. Each action builds on the last. Each signature adds weight. Each share expands our reach.

SIGN NOW

Help ducks and geese today

While we fight for this ban, you can help birds immediately by choosing plant-based alternatives. Delicious, free of suffering options exist.

Get our free cookbook with recipes that prove compassion tastes better.

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