I am writing concerning the cruel methods involved in the production of the so-called luxury food Pate de foie gras.

I believe that if many people knew about how much suffering this caused they would no longer choose to eat it.

Pate de fois gras literally means pate from fat livers.

It is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese to enlarge their livers. A goose, for example, will be held between an operator's legs or restrained in some form of clamping device with its neck extended.

A metal tube up to 40cm long is then forced down the bird's throat. Food is then forced down the tube from a funnel into the bird's stomach.

Birds are force-fed up to 2.7kg (6lb) of food each day - the equivalent of a human being being made to eat 12.5kg (28lb) of cooked spaghetti per day!

Pate de fois gras is not produced in the UK at present.

The UK government has in the past made it clear that if anyone started force-feeding geese or ducks for foie gras in this country, legislation would be brought in to make it illegal.

It is however imported from countries with lower farm animal welfare standards such as France and Belgium.

Can I appeal to local people to help by not buying Pate de foie gras in shops or restaurants.

Also, could anyone please let us know if you see it on sale and we will inform the establishment of the cruelty involved in its production.

For further information about this or any other aspect of our work, please contact Compassion in World Farming, 5A Charles Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, England, GU32 3EH. Tel: 01730 264208. Fax: 01730 260791. E.Mail: [email protected]">[email protected].

ROSS MINETT

Campaigns Officer

Compassion in World Farming.