European Parliament
President.
Although we have exceeded the 30 minutes of questions, we will put a final one, if the Commissioner will allow us.
Question No 41 by Caroline Lucas 
Subject: Foie gras – phasing out of force-feeding
The Commission’s Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare published a report in 1998 that concluded 'force-feeding, as currently practised, is detrimental to the welfare of the birds'.
Would the Commission agree that to allow such a cruel practice to continue in the European Union is a disgrace particularly at a time when we are trying to convince the rest of the world that we have good welfare standards in our livestock production systems, and when can we expect a Commission proposal to phase out force-feeding?

