Campaigners call for Fortnum & Mason to be stripped of royal seal for selling foie gras

 
Record year: Fortnum and Mason
6 December 2013

Animal welfare groups today called for Fortnum & Mason to be stripped of its Royal Warrant because it continues to sell foie gras.

The Piccadilly department store has sold the delicacy “for centuries”, but 10 campaign groups including the RSPCA, Peta and the World Society for Protection of Animals say the process by which it is produced is barbaric. Foie gras is made by force-feeding ducks and geese to swell their livers.

Campaigners wrote to the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which issues the “by appointment” quality seal on behalf of the Queen and other royals, calling for its withdrawal.

But Fortnum & Mason today remained defiant, saying customers have the “freedom to choose” .

The production of foie gras in the UK is illegal but it is lawful to sell it. French farms are among the main suppliers.

Opposition: Roger Moore protests on behalf of PETA (Picture: PETA)

The campaign groups cite Fortnum & Mason allegedly breaching welfare conditions that must be met to achieve warrant status. The RSPCA said: “If you buy foie gras, you are funding the unnecessary suffering of geese and ducks.”

Actor Sir Roger Moore, who campaigns for Peta, said: “It should most definitely not be sold in any respectable British institution — let alone a shop such as Fortnum & Mason, which so blatantly trades on its English heritage. Until that day, which I pray is not far off, I hope you will join me in taking action with your wallets and purses by boycotting any establishments which continue to sell this shameful product of goose torture.”

A Fortnum & Mason spokesman said: “We do understand it is not to some people’s taste, and we respect their right to make their feelings known. However, foie gras has been on sale at Fortnums down the centuries, and a sizeable number of our customers enjoy it. We believe they should have the freedom to choose.” The warrant holders association said it would examine the complaints.

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