It seems a small number of influential Ministers want to be eating foie gras while wearing fur and going hunting, who apparently sway the government's decision-making. People won't stand for that.
NICK EARDLEY: The UK government is likely to drop plans to ban imports of fur and foie gras, amid cabinet opposition. The measures were due to be included in the Animals Abroad Bill, to be introduced soon. But several cabinet ministers have raised different concerns about the proposals…
Ministers have confirmed in recent weeks that they intend to ban importing hunting trophies from threatened species like lions, elephants and rhinos. But it’s understood a ban on foie gras and fur imports is now likely to be dropped from the legislation, after a number of concerns raised by cabinet ministers.
Some – including Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees Mogg – have raised concerns about personal choice. The BBC has been told that Mr Rees Mogg believes the government should not be imposing restrictions on consumers… Defence secretary Ben Wallace also raised concerns about banning the bear fur used by the military for the hats worn by Guardsmen. Mr Wallace argues this is responsibly sourced under a cull run by the Canadian government – though campaigners say that process still involves cruelty…
Claire Bass, executive director at the Humane Society International UK, said the government has said “warm words” about a ban, “but the question is will they follow through with action”. “I think a very large number of people will be disappointed if they don’t,” she said. She said the public backed action on animal welfare, but “there can be a small number of influential Conservatives who perhaps want to be eating foie gras while wearing fur and going hunting, who apparently sway the government’s decision-making”. “People won’t stand for that.”
Abigail Penny, executive director at Animal Equality UK, told the BBC that foie gras was an “immensely cruel” food product that could lead to liver disease in ducks and geese. She added: “The UK government has been claiming for many years now that they would be looking to ban the importation. “I think the ban matters a lot to those animals that are currently suffering and struggling”…
A government spokesperson emphasised no final decision on imports had been made. They added that under its Action plan for Animal Welfare, the government was committed to “world-leading reforms” to improve animal welfare in the UK and abroad, and planned to “legislate further to protect animals abroad as soon as parliamentary time allows”.
The spokesman added that the government had committed to building a “clear evidence base to inform decisions on the import of foie gras”. They added that a recent call for evidence on fur products would be published “soon” and would inform “any future decisions on the fur trade”…
British farmers are already banned from producing foie gras, a liver-based luxury French food opposed by animal rights campaigners because its production involves force-feeding ducks or geese. Fur farming has also been illegal in the UK since 2000, but campaigners have long been pushing for an import ban on fur farmed abroad…
The Animals Abroad Bill is one of three pieces of legislation the government has drafted in a bid to improve animal welfare. It will include measures to crack down on hunting animals for trophies, as well as holidays that lead to the neglect of animals like elephants. SOURCE…
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