Labour’s commitment to ban foie gras gains momentum at Animal Equality’s Parliamentary event
Following Labour’s earlier pledge to ban foie gras outright, Animal Equality hosted a successful Parliamentary event designed to empower decision-makers and push this much-needed legislation across the finish line.
Keeping the foie gras ban a priority
‘Foie gras’ is a French term that translates to ‘fatty liver’. It is produced by cruelly ‘fattening up’ ducks and geese using a feeding tube that is violently forced down their throats. This process intentionally swells their livers up to ten-fold and induces disease.
Because of these cruel production methods it has been illegal to produce foie gras by force-feeding in the UK for over a decade. However, businesses exploit a legal loophole: they simply import it from countries where force-feeding is legally permissible and sell it in UK stores and restaurants, profiting from animal cruelty in the process.
In 2022, the Government tabled a bill which would have banned the import and sale of foie gras produced by force-feeding. Public support for this move was and continues to be overwhelming, with a July 2024 YouGov poll showing that nearly nine in ten respondents (excluding ‘don’t knows’) supported the ban. Hundreds of thousands of people also signed Animal Equality’s petition.
However, in a disappointing U-turn, the Government withdrew its support for the bill, leaving millions more ducks and geese to suffer every year.
Refusing to give up
Determined to keep the ban alive, Animal Equality mobilised supporters ahead of this year’s General Election, urging them to contact MPs and advocate for the ban.
Ruth Jones MP, then Shadow Minister for Environmental Protection and Animal Welfare, criticised the Conservative Party’s inaction and issued a clear commitment:
The government has still failed to take any action and has refused to announce when the end date for this evidence-gathering process will be. This is deeply concerning. I can confirm that should the Labour Party be fortunate enough to win the election on the 4th July, we will commit to an outright import ban on foie gras as soon as possible in the next Parliament.
Ruth Jones, Labour MP
Steve Reed MP, now Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, also pledged his support on X (formerly known as Twitter).
With Labour now in Government, Animal Equality has been working tirelessly to remind them of this promise and ensure the ban remains a priority.
A powerful Parliamentary event
In a room filled with politicians, experts, innovators and animal advocates, Ruth Jones MP opened the event with a passionate speech, reaffirming Labour’s commitment to animal welfare and emphasising the suffering caused by foie gras production.
We made the case as compassionate human beings it’s not right having [foie gras] in the UK so why are we still condoning it across the world? It’s not appropriate […] I know that the current DEFRA team did pledge to ban foie gras before the general election […] I am making sure that Steve Reed our Secretary of State for DEFRA is most certainly very much aware of the strength of feeling cross the UK.
Ruth Jones, Labour MP
Animal Equality UK’s Executive Director, Abigail Penny, delivered a powerful address, highlighting the grit, focus, and tenacity of the team, their supporters, and teams across the globe who have been tirelessly working for years to end the cruel practice of foie gras production.
Drawing on Animal Equality’s success in India, she showcased how exposing the truth and presenting irrefutable evidence of animal cruelty led to a major victory – within just two years of the campaign’s launch, India had banned both the sale and import of foie gras.
Abigail concluded with an inspiring message:
One crucial difference between our story in the UK and that of our team in India: right now, the end to our story is unwritten. Today, we have a chance to decide how that story ends. This isn’t just another event; this is a catalyst for change.
Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK
Plant-based, French Michelin-starred chef and long-time Animal Equality supporter, Alexis Gauthier, then took the stage to share his journey. After witnessing horrifying footage of foie gras production, Gauthier transformed his restaurant, creating a plant-based alternative that has been widely embraced by diners.
I was worried at first whether [transforming all my restaurant menus to plant-based] would impact my business but not a single customer left us. My business didn’t suffer and now neither do the animals.
Alexis Gauthier, Michelin starred chef
Expert trade consultant, Adolfo Sansolini, concluded by addressing the trade logistics associated with a ban. He evidenced that not only is this legislation possible but approved under World Trade Organisation rules.
This is the time to show that the UK can take the lead globally to end the crime of foie gras for good.
Adolfo Sansolini, expert trade consultant
The event also included a powerful and uplifting video message from Members of the European Parliament, urging the UK Government to uphold its commitments and showing extensive political support all across Europe.
We are so close
The event was a resounding success, drawing support from key MPs across party lines, including Labour MPs Toby Perkins, Catherine Fookes, and Jayne Kirkham; Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron; MP and Green Party Co-leader Adrian Ramsay; Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake; Conservative MPs Sir Roger Gale and Dr. Neil Hudson; and Independent MPs Rosie Duffield and Alex Easton.
It is a quite revolting practice […] But what is particularly nonsensical is that we ban it in the UK and then allow it to be imported. And that is an absolute nonsense.
Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP
How you can help
Animal Equality will never back down in the fight to end the brutal force-feeding of millions of ducks and geese every year. These animals endure unimaginable suffering, and we refuse to let their plight go unheard.
With a new Government in power and compassionate MPs standing with us, now is the moment to push harder than ever to secure the ban and put an end to this cruelty once and for all.
But we can’t do it alone. Organising impactful events, driving media coverage, and mobilising action takes time, resources, and unwavering commitment. Your support is essential to keeping this momentum alive.
To get this legislation over the line, we need you.
Every donation brings us closer to protecting more ducks and geese from this terrible practice. Together, we can block the import of this vile delicacy and show the world that cruelty has no place in the UK.
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.
