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

Today marked the one year anniversary of the Right Honourable Steve Reed MP’s pledge to ban the importation of foie gras produced by force-feeding. Prior to the 2024 General Election, the now Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, announced that “a vote for Labour is a vote for animals” and tweeted that Labour would introduce “the biggest boost in animal welfare in a generation” but has failed to deliver since taking office.
04/06/2025 Updated: 19/06/2025
ban foie gras leaflet

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.

An 'unhappy anniversary' cake

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.

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

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