§ Miss Maynardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will introduce legislation to impose a ban on the import of pâté de foie gras into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what information he has about the extent to which the production and importation of pâté de foie gras is permitted in other EEC countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerI understand that the force feeding of animals is prohibited in the Federal Republic of Germany, but am not aware that any restriction is imposed on the production of pâté de foie gras in any other member state. The method of feeding geese involved in this production has been examined by both the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, following expert advice, and neither body saw reason to restrict or prohibit it. Any ban on the import of pâté de foie gras would contravene the provisions of the Treaty of Rome, which of course bind all member states of the European Community.