Would you support a ban on the import of foie gras?

Almost nine in ten Britons would support an import ban on foie gras, according to a study.

Production of the French delicacy, which involves force-feeding ducks or geese to increase the fat content of their liver, is banned in the UK on cruelty grounds, but about 200 tonnes of the product are imported from Europe annually.

Imports had been due to be banned last year as part of the Animals Abroad Bill, which was supported by Conservative environmentalists including Zac Goldsmith and Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie. It was said to have been shelved after Jacob Rees-Mogg and other ministers forced a cabinet U-turn.

In a Commons debate this week, Giles Watling, the Conservative MP for Clacton, said that by defending foie gras imports, the party “risked appearing to be out of touch with the British people”.

Now a YouGov poll, commissioned by Animal Equality UK and shared with The Times, has found that 86 per cent of respondents supported a ban on foie gras made by force-feeding.

What are your views?