Leading animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot is taking a stand against foie gras sales in the UK and across the globe in her latest challenge against the mistreatment of animals in our global society. Her own Brigitte Bardot Foundation, the Society for the Protection of Animals and a number of other animal rights groups, the French model and actress is linking forces with PETA's fight against UK superstore Fortnum & Mason. The groups reportedly sent a letter to Ewan Venters, the store's managing director, urging them to stop the sale of foie gras. Part of the letter reads: “Thousands of people in France are working towards an end to the shameful practice of force feeding birds and we respectfully urge you not to help keep this inhumane and shrinking industry alive." Ecorazzi defined foie gras as the “force-feeding ducks and geese large amounts of grain, which is pumped into their stomachs with metal pipes that are shoved down their throats – sometimes several times a day." While officially banned in the UK, it is allowed in five European countries including France, Bardot's home country. Fortnum & Mason reportedly pays French farmers to force-feed birds on its behalf to get “high welfare" foie gras. Bardot also made her own statement: “Mr Venters seems to be one of those imbeciles who, just for a fleeting moment of flavour, is willing to ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence that force-feeding ducks and geese to produce grotesquely enlarged livers for foie gras is horrifically cruel. I hope France will end this shameful abuse of birds, which is quite rightly banned in Venters' own country. But until then, Mr Venters should keep his hands off our geese!" ** OfCourseVegan.com originally published this article. BN
