§ 6. Mr. Phillip Oppenheimasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce controls on the importation of paté de foie gras into the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. FennerNo. I know of no evidence to justify such controls.
§ Mr. OppenheimIs my hon. Friend aware of the extreme cruelty involved in the production of such paté in France and eastern Europe? Is she further aware that anyone who attempted to produce it in the United Kingdom would almost certainly be prosecuted under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876? Therefore, is there not an excellent case for a total ban of that product?
§ Mrs. FennerI can only try to assure my hon. Friend by saying that in 1974 a special inquiry, under the auspices of the Council of Europe, was made by a group of experts into the practice in France. They concluded that although they did not find the method of production appealing, they saw no evidence of suffering or cruelty. I know of no new evidence which contradicts those findings.
§ Mr. HardyBearing in mind the events of recent months, during which our French neighbours have pursued their national interests with remorseless consistency, would it not now be appropriate for Britain to make a suitable gesture and perhaps suggest that if there is to be any excessive stuffing it should not be of the goose?
§ Mrs. FennerI am sure the hon. Gentleman realises that taking such action would have no effect on production methods in other countries. Supplies would simply be diverted to other markets. We work extremely hard to promote animal welfare through international agreement. 1152 I am sure that everyone who approves of the humane treatment of animals wants us to do that throughout the world.