Sir; Viva! congratulates Makro for its decision to end the sale of French foie gras in all of its British stores after current stock runs out. It comes after Viva! provided disturbing information showing the cruelty behind its production, and follows Lidl's similar decision late last year ('Makro pulls foie gras in face of Viva pressure', The Grocer, 21 July, p52).

Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks or geese large amounts of food so that their livers swell to up to 10 times normal size. It is not produced in Britain, as its production would contravene existing animal welfare regulations.

However, it is legal to import it. Health minister Ben Bradshaw has encouraged a consumer boycott, and currently 131 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion to ban its sale in the UK. Its production has been outlawed in Poland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Israel. Makro's decision sends a strong message to the catering industry that more and more people are getting behind the campaign for a foie gras-free Britain.

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