§ Mr. Cohenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will support action (i) to end the production of pate de foie gras in the European Community or (ii) to ban its import into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI cannot support either action. My Department has no plans to impose a ban on the import of pate de foie gras, as I am advised that such a step would contravene the Treaty of Rome. In any case it is for individuals to decide whether or not to buy or consume foie gras.