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Foie gras off the royal menu

Prince Charles Rex Features

Prince Charles gave animal rights campaigner across the country cause for celebration yesterday as he banned foie gras from the menu.

Described as 'torture in a tan' by animal supporters, foie gras is the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened by gavage - being force-fed with corn mash direct to the gullet through a tube inserted down its throat. This process can take 12 to 18 days before slaughter.

But the French 'delicacy' will now be off the royal menu, and the Prince is also considering withdrawing the royal warrant from his favourite shop, The House of Cheese in Tetbury, because they sell the paté.

Andrew Farquharson, deputy master of the household at Clarence House, told the Daily Mail: The Prince of Wales has a policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras.

'His Royal Highness was not aware that the House of Cheese sells foie gras and this will be addressed when their warrant is reviewed.'

Justin Kerswell of campaign group Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals) is pleased with the move.

He said: 'We are very pleased, but foie gras should have been banned a long time ago.

'There is a groundswell of opinion against the inhumane food.

'Foie gras is seen as very posh and the heir to the throne is probably the poshest person in Britain, so for him to ban it is very good news.'

No major retailers in the UK sell foie gras, apart from Selfridges and Harrods, and its production is banned in this country. However, large volumes of it are produced in France.

Wednesday 27 February 2008


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