Follow-up question on French definition of ‘foie gras’

30.9.2015

Question for written answer P-013307-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Keith Taylor (Verts/ALE)

Written Question E-010605/2012 focused on the fact that in Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 (and previous Regulation (EEC) No 1538/91) force-feeding is not a prerequisite for classifying livers as ‘foie gras’. However, since 2005, ‘foie gras’ has been defined in French national law as the liver of a bird fattened by force-feeding.

In his answer to Question E-010605/2012 on 24 January 2013, Commissioner Tonio Borg said: ‘The Commission will assess whether the French law is in line with the definition of Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 and clarify whether the definition given in the French law would prevent any fatty liver obtained by alternative methods from being considered and hence marketed as “foie gras” in France.’

— Has such an assessment been made?

— If so, what is the outcome of this assessment, in consideration that some companies produce ‘foie gras’ without the use of force-feeding?

— If such assessment has not been made within the last two and a half years, can the Commission explain why this is the case?