EU trade talks halting Labour's key promise on animal welfare

Trade talks have blocked progress on Labour's foie gras import ban, campaigners have warned.

A letter from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that while the Government recognises the "serious welfare concerns" surrounding the food's production, it is unable to provide clarity on future action because of private discussions with international trade partners.

The letter to a concerned member of the public said it is "too early to discuss this in greater detail".

Abigail Penny, executive director of Animal Equality UK, said: "The Government made a public promise in the run up to the election to end the import of foie gras made by force-feeding, a product of immense animal cruelty. Surely officials are not willing to now trade away that promise behind closed doors? Britons want to see an end to this cruel product on our shores - the Government must represent its people, not cave in to vested interests from those overseas.

"Prioritising profit through trade deals over genuine animal protection is unacceptable to the British public, especially since nearly nine out of 10 are in favour of a ban. A halt on foie gras imports cannot be sacrificed at the negotiation table."

Before the election the environment secretary Steve Reed said Labour would "ban the commercial import of foie gras, where ducks and geese are aggressively force-fed".

Defra's letter also cited the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement as a reason for the continued silence.

The SPS aims to streamline trade in agricultural and food products and forms part of Sir Keir Starmer's broader EU-UK reset.

Foie gras is made by a process known as gavage, in which grain is poured into a funnel that has been forced down a bird's neck. The process swells the animal's liver to many times its normal size.

Defra said: "The government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.

"Foie gras production using force feeding has been banned in the UK for 17 years as it is not compatible with our animal welfare legislation. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. It is too early to discuss this in greater detail at this point."