A petition calling for a ban on fur and foie gras imports in the UK has surpassed 200,000 signatures. Television wildlife presenter Chris Packham started the Change petition in February following reports the government was planning to scrap proposals to outlaw the trade.
Farming animals for fur and force-feeding geese and ducks to produce foie gras are banned in the UK, but some products can be imported and sold in shops. Packham urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to bring an end to what he called the "obscene double-standard", adding: "There is no place in modern Britain for fur or foie gras, both of which are products of appalling cruelty."
A UK government spokesperson said no decisions have yet been made and any future decisions will be based on evidence. Measures to stop imports were due to be introduced in the government's flagship Animals Abroad Bill, which has faced delays. The draft bill – one of three in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Action Plan for Animal Welfare – also planned to ban the trade of hunting trophies and advertising of elephant rides.
