According to reports, the UK Government is considering abandoning plans to ban fur and foie gras imports.
Our Patron, Chris Packham, has teamed up with animal charities across the UK to tell the Government, Don’t Betray Animals! And we couldn’t agree more.
We’re often told that the UK is a world leader in animal welfare. And in many ways, we’re doing better than a lot of other nations. But we can always do more. And rejecting cruel and unethical products is one of the ways that we, as a nation, can set an example to the rest of the world and help reduce animal abuse globally. But the Government is back-tracking.
Fur and foie gras: The story so far
In 2021, Defra, the Government department responsible for animal welfare, produced an Action Plan for Animal Welfare setting out its animal welfare priorities. This was the first document of its kind and was widely welcomed.
It included promising statements about fur and foie gras. On fur, the Plan said:
‘Whilst there are existing import restrictions on seal, cat and dog fur, it is still possible to import other fur from abroad, so we will explore potential action in this area.’
While on foie gras, it said:
‘…the Government has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese which have been force fed raises serious welfare concerns. The production of foie gras by force feeding is already illegal in the UK. Now the transition period has finished, we are committed to building a clear evidence base to inform decisions on banning the import or sale of foie gras and other products derived from low-welfare systems.’
The introduction of an Animals Abroad Bill was widely anticipated. But this has not yet been published.
And now it seems we know why.
Cruelty to animals is never just a matter of personal choice
The Government said it would build a ‘clear evidence base to inform decisions on banning the import or sale of foie gras and other products derived from low-welfare systems’. We would argue that the appalling cruelty involved in the production of foie gras and fur is evidence enough. As a nation, the UK has already turned its back on fur and foie gras by banning domestic production. We also already prohibit imports of fur from seals, dogs and cats.
But it seems that the opinions of a minority of Cabinet Ministers – who reportedly think it’s a matter of personal choice – has compelled the Government to reconsider its commitments to animal welfare and the public.
We don’t think this is good enough and we urge you to support Chris Packham’s petition.
Written by Natalie Harney, Campaign Manager for Animal Experiments and Puppy Farming
