Jacob Rees-Mogg opposes fur and foie gras ban as it 'limits personal choice'

Measures to ban imports of cruel fur and foie gras are being opposed by Jacob Rees-Mogg and other top Tories.

The plans were due to be included in the forthcoming Animals Abroad Bill.

But several Cabinet ministers have opposed the proposals.

Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg is said to have argued the Government should not be limiting personal choice.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also raised concerns last year about using faux bear fur in hats worn by Guardsmen.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith has previously said the bans would be made law at “the earliest possible slot”.

Ben Wallace raised concerns about banning the bear fur used by the military for the hats worn by Guardsmen (via REUTERS)

But sources in his department reportedly said: “The MoD is refusing to compromise on this. Wallace is believed to be very anti-change.”

Animal campaigners have condemned moves to scrap the ban.

TV presenter Chris Packham said abandoning plans would be an “appalling betrayal of animals who desperately need a kind nation to defend them”.

Claire Bass, of Humane Society ­International/UK, said: “The vast majority of the public fully support these bans, to send a global message we won’t be complicit in the suffering of millions of animals for cruel, unnecessary products.

“We urge the Government to base its policy on public opinion and evidence, not the whims and fancies of one or two out-of-touch ministers.”

Helpless and sick animals are put in small cages (Kristo Muurimaa from Oikeutta Eläimille)

Conor Jackson, founder of Open Cages, said: “Thanks to them protecting our ‘personal choice’, we will soon be justifying pretty much any cruelty.”

Abigail Penny, of Animal Equality UK, added: “Backtracking on a ban would be the ultimate betrayal of animals and the British public.”

Since the Mirror launched the Fur Free Britain campaign with Humane Society International/UK in July 2020, we have revealed horrific cases of fur farms abroad.

An investigation in Finland’s Ostrobothnia region found tiny cages full of helpless, sick foxes.

Since banning fur farming in 2000, the UK has imported fur worth more than £850million.

A Government spokesman said it was “united in its commitment to upholding its world-leading standards in animal welfare”.

• Sign Chris Packham’s petition at change.org/DontBetrayAnimals