WRITTEN QUESTION E-1850/00

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Foie gras in ducks and geese

I understand that the report on Welfare Aspects of the Production of Foie Gras in Ducks and Geese, prepared for the European Commission by the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare in 1998, concluded that the practice of force-feeding was detrimental to the welfare of birds. It is also noted that alternative products made from the livers of non-force-fed animals are available on the market. Under the Community's poultry-meat marketing rules, can these alternative products be sold as foie gras? Are any measures to be taken to phase out the force-feeding of birds throughout the EU?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Two recommendations for the protection of ducks and geese bred for the production of foie gras were adopted in June 1999 in the framework of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. The Commission and the Member States actively participated in the process of drafting and adoption of these recommendations. The Member States, which are all contracting parties to the Convention, are expected to give effect to the recommendations. The report mentioned by the Honourable Member was used as reference for the finalization of these recommendations.

The recommendations recognize the necessity to keep the birds in social groups and prohibit the use of small individual cages which are currently used. The recommendation states that such a prohibition should come into effect on 31st December 2004 for new or replacement accommodation and for all accommodation on 31st December 2010 at the latest.

The recommendations also call for further research to develop alternative techniques that do not require force feeding for the production of foie gras. It has been agreed that until new scientific evidence on alternative methods and their welfare aspects is available, the production of foie gras should be carried out only where it is current practice and then only in accordance with standards laid down in domestic law.

In the Community, Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998(1), provides the main principles for the protection of all species of animals kept for farming purposes. It addresses the welfare requirements to be applied for the protection of animals kept for the different types of production, including the production of foie gras. The Directive also imposes a responsibility on the owner or keeper of the animals to ensure that their welfare respects the minimum requirements provided.

The Directive also provides a legal base for proposals for Community measures in relation to the Convention or recommendations made under it, if this is necessary for its uniform application within the Community. If necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of Council Directive 98/58/EC, the Commission will submit to the Council further appropriate proposals for the uniform application of the above mentioned recommendations.

Force-feeding is not a prerequisite for classifying livers as foie gras. Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1538/91 of 5 June 1991 introducing detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1606/90 on certain marketing standards for poultry meat(2) provides that foie gras are livers of geese or of certain species of ducks which have been fed in such a way as to produce hepatic fatty cellular hypertrophy. The livers must be of uniform colour and weigh at least 300g in the case of ducks and 400g in the case of geese.

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

(2) OJ L 143, 7.6.1991.