One year on: Animal Equality UK marks anniversary of broken promise to ban foie gras imports

On 4th June 2025, animal rights activists gathered outside the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to mark one year since Secretary of State Steve Reed MP promised to ban the importation of foie gras made through force-feeding.

The demonstration, organised by Animal Equality UK, involved placards showing images of ducks and geese on foie gras farms and an ‘unhappy anniversary’ cake. It comes amid growing public frustration over the Government’s inaction on its election promise and reflects renewed calls for the Labour Party to deliver on its animal welfare commitments.

The cruel reality of foie gras production

The controversial pâté is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell to up to 10 times their natural size. Though its production has been outlawed in the UK on cruelty grounds for almost two decades, imports continue, allowing the suffering to persist abroad for British consumers’ plates.

Public support for a ban

The protest follows a YouGov poll recently commissioned by Animal Equality UK, which revealed that 86% of Labour voters support a ban on foie gras imports – highlighting a stark contrast between public opinion and political follow-through. Campaigners say the anniversary serves as a “painful reminder” of the delay to act on an issue that Steve Reed personally described as “shocking” and “beyond disgusting”.

Foie gras production is rooted in extreme animal cruelty – we know it, the UK public knows it, and the Government knows it too. Minister Steve Reed and his peers made a clear electoral promise to ban this cruelty from our shores, yet that promise remains unfulfilled […] When a promise is made in the final days before an election, and resonates deeply with voters, it carries real weight. Keeping political promises is the foundation of a functioning democracy and there is still time for the Government to uphold its word, rebuild dwindling public trust, and act in line with public will. The animals have waited for far too long already.

Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK

Locals from Reed’s own constituency of Streatham and North Croydon have spoken out too, calling the lack of action a betrayal. One constituent told campaigners: “If he promised to do it, then I think he should. Animals can’t speak for themselves. It’s awful that this cruelty continues because of political delay.” Another said simply: “Steve, do what you promised. That’s it.”

Concerns over trade negotiations

Despite public and cross-party support, the Government has remained silent on the ban – raising concerns from campaigners that ongoing trade negotiations, including discussions around a Common Veterinary Agreement to reduce post-Brexit red tape on animal products crossing the EU-UK border, could permanently block any future foie gras import ban unless exemptions are explicitly secured.

Longstanding campaign and support

Animal Equality UK has campaigned for a foie gras import ban since 2017, backed by high-profile figures including Miriam Margolyes, Ricky Gervais, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Mark Rylance. We have secured over 300,000 signatures on our petition and conducted more than a dozen investigations into foie gras farms, revealing birds struggling to breathe, suffering from injuries, and in some cases, left dead and rotting.

Take action for ducks and geese

This cruelty cannot be allowed to persist.

The most impactful action you can take right now is to refuse to eat foie gras and encourage others to follow your lead. With so many delicious cruelty-free alternatives, like chef Alexis Gauthier’s recipe, there’s no excuse to support this heartless industry.

But we can’t stop there. We need to ramp up the pressure. Our goal is to gather 350,000 signatures on our petition. The more of us who speak out, the harder it will be for the Government to deprioritise this life-saving ban.

Together, we can kick this cruelty off our shores for good.

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.

In a letter dated 15th April 2020, we were pleased to see that Lord Goldsmith acknowledged the grave concerns raised by the practice of force-feeding. You stated: ‘The production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding (known as gavage) raises serious animal welfare concerns’ and noted that the Government recognises ‘the strength of feeling on this issue’.

And there is indeed strength of feeling. With cross-party political support and 200,000+ signatories joining Animal Equality’s call for a ban, the British public 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, according to FranceAgriMer – a French Government agricultural body – the UK imports around 200 tonnes of this product each year, with many retailers and delis profiting from this cruelty.

Despite your aforementioned reassuring message of 15th April, we were surprised to read that your Defra colleague – Minister Victoria Prentis – stated on 21st April 2020 that ‘any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in a rigorous and comprehensive way after the [Brexit] transition period and will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows’.

We cannot see any viable justification to delay decisions for which both you and the Secretary of State have already expressed support, that are widely embraced by the British public, and that would encounter the favour of other political parties. Now that the UK has left the European Single Market, it is more urgent than ever that you act on this important matter and craft legislation now, not later.

The British public is expecting you to take action.

Your fellow political colleagues support a ban.

You yourself have acknowledged the animal welfare concerns relating to this cruel product.

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 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

An error occured, please try again later

Demand the Government bans imports of foie gras made by force-feeding – SIGN NOW!

View the full petition here

First Name

Last Name

Email

By signing, you accept our privacy policy.

You can unsubscribe or amend your preferences at any time.

Tick to be updated on this campaign & receive our e-newsletter with news and appeals (optional)

Sign