Foie gras: Directors from around the world write letter to UK Government

Animal Equality has been working around the world to uncover and ban the production of foie gras, a so-called ‘delicacy’ which involves extreme animal cruelty. To produce foie gras, millions of ducks and geese are brutally force-fed every single year.

Force-feeding involves restraining the ducks and geese, inserting a metal tube down their throats and forcing them to ingest large quantities of feed. This practice causes their livers to swell to up to ten times their normal size.

In the UK the production of foie gras made by force-feeding is already prohibited. Despite this, we hypocritically continue to import this product, with nearly 220 tonnes of foie gras entering the UK each year – impacting hundreds of thousands of birds in the process.

A few months ago, Government ministers suggested they would consider a ban on products that involve the force-feeding of animals, including foie gras. A ban is within reach, but with the Government making no public commitment, Animal Equality’s team will continue to lobby, both publicly and behind the scenes, until legislation outlining a ban of this cruel product has been passed.

As part of these efforts, Animal Equality’s leaders from around the world sent a letter to UK Cabinet ministers calling for a decision to be made in favour of the ban.

A UK ban on the importation and sale of force-fed products would send a strong message to governments all around the world: we cannot and will not allow cruelty like this to continue.

Read the letter:

Rt Hon George Eustice MP

&

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Date: Wednesday 1st September 2021

Dear George Eustice MP and Lord Goldsmith,

Many legislators, politicians, and activists worldwide look to the United Kingdom’s laws as a shining example of a progressive society in many ways. The political institutions of the United Kingdom have a long history of far-reaching progress, and it is well known that these breakthroughs have inspired thousands others to achieve similar results in their own countries. Each step of progress made in the UK is, sooner or later, progress for all.

The protection of animals is no exception. It was 1822, almost two centuries ago, when the British Parliament passed one of the first animal protection laws, the “Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle.” Many other important legislative bills have since followed suit, like the first Cruelty to Animal Act in 1835, the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1876, and most recently, the Animal Welfare act of 2006. On paper, the UK is often viewed as a pioneer for animals.

That’s why we are pleased to see that Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare states that you are ‘exploring a ban on the sale of foie gras’ and that, as many around the globe await this critical ban, the Animal Sentience Bill has been introduced to Parliament – recognising animals as the thinking, feeling beings that they are. If the UK is to continue being recognised as a world-leader in animal welfare legislation, it simply cannot continue to financially support torturous practices such as force-feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras – practices known to inflict scientifically undeniable anguish and pain on the sentient animals involved. This hypocrisy must end.

We, the undersigned, add our support and the support of the international communities that we represent to the more than 225,000 British citizens urging you to ban this cruel product from entering your shores.

This long-awaited ban needs your immediate attention. We’re counting on you to secure this landmark achievement for animals as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Sharon Núñez – President of Animal Equality International

Jose Valle – Executive Vice-President of Animal Equality

Matteo Cupi – Vice-President of Animal Equality Europe and Interim Executive Director of Animal Equality Germany

Carla Littieri – Executive Director of Animal Equality Brasil

Silvia Barquero – Executive Director of Igualdad Animal España

Amey Deshmukh – Executive Director of Animal Equality India

Alice Trombetta – Executive Director of Animal Equality Italia

Dulce Ramírez – Executive Director of Igualdad Animal México

_____

Animal Equality has been campaigning on the issue of foie gras for many years, having conducted investigations into foie gras farms in France and Spain in 2011 and 2012.

In 2014, India became the first country to ban foie gras following dialogue with Animal Equality and in 2017, Animal Equality started a campaign to ban foie gras in the UK.

Since then, Animal Equality has been working closely with politicians and celebrities to gain vital support for a ban on the importation of foie gras and has collected over 225,000 signatures from UK citizens who want to see an end to this cruelty.

We wouldn’t have reached this decisive moment without your support. Help us continue this critical, life-changing work by making a donation today. With your support we can carry out further undercover investigations, public outreach campaigns, and legal advocacy. With your support, we can create a better world for animals.