North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson in backing calls for a ban on imports of foie gras to the UK.
Foie gras, (or fatty liver in French) is a duck or goose liver that is used in some cooking. The process of generating foie gras involves fattening the bird in order to grow the liver to more than 10 times its usual size.
Producing foie gras has garnered much criticism as being cruel because of the practice of force-feeding ducks or geese, multiple times a day, causing substantial discomfort to the animal as it’s organs expand beyond their natural proportions.
Due to the cruelty inflicted on the ducks and geese through force feeding, foie gras production was banned in the UK. Unfortunately, whilst many European countries have followed Britain’s lead in banning the production, EU single market rules still protect imports of foie gras that are manufactured abroad, including in France, where 70% to 80% of the world’s supply comes from. Justin believes that the UK legislation to ban the production of foie gras, must be applied to imports when we are able to do so after leaving the EU.
Since being elected to Parliament in 2010, Justin has campaigned actively on animal rights and welfare issues. Many of these have led to changes in the law including on issues like ivory poaching and puppy farming.
Animal Equality, an animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving welfare standards globally has welcomed the vocal support of Justin.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "It is incredibly important to recognise that as we leave the European Union, we have the opportunity to revise and repeal laws that do not meet our standards as consumers. As a nation we collectively agreed that the cruel practices necessary to producing foie gras were unacceptable to us, yet since the legislation, companies have been able to bypass the ban by imported from major producer’s like France. In keeping with DEFRA’s sweeping environment and animal rights improvements, I believe this subject should be on the table for necessary reform.”
