The importation of 'barbaric' foie gras will be banned in new post-Brexit plans, says Animal Welfare minister Lord Goldsmith.
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While the production of foie gras is illegal in the UK as a cruel practice, the country still imports approximately 200 tonnes of the product from abroad each year.
However, after fierce campaigning from PETA, the importation of foie gras to the UK will finally be banned in a new post-Brexit law.
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith has confirmed that he is planning to introduce a ban on imports to the UK “in the next few months”.
Praising the decision for Fortnum & Mason – the Queen’s grocer of choice – to no longer stock foie gras, Lord Goldsmith tweeted:
“Foie gras is unbearably barbaric. It’s hard to imagine anyone could watch the process and still enjoy eating it.”
This news comes after a PETA petition gathered over 20,000 signatures to end the cruel trade, now that the UK has left the EU. Before Brexit, the UK was subject to laws which deemed the product a ‘delicacy’ and integral to French cuisine.
‘Raises serious concerns’
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that the production of foie gras “raises serious concerns”.
He added: “Now our future relationship with the EU has been established, the Government is considering further steps it could take in relation to foie gras.”
If these new rules come into effect, restaurants, supermarkets, and grocers will be prohibited from importing the cruel product – ending the consumption of foie gras for good in the UK.
We hope Lord Goldsmith holds true to his word and the importation of foie gras is banned in the UK as soon as possible.
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