Hang on a minute... foie gras production already banned in UK. Is Labour planning to ban imports from France? That’s surely not possible without Brexit.
A year ago Labour tried to ban Foie Gras imports (as india has done using WTO ethical clause) with amendment to Brexit Agriculture Bill..
importance of this ahead of manifesto is whether the entire manifesto is consistent with Remain/referendum position bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
importance of this ahead of manifesto is whether the entire manifesto is consistent with Remain/referendum position bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
Farming minister George Eustice said last year to MPs seeking ban:
"While we are a member of the European Union, we are required to observe law which places restrictions on the introduction of measures that impair the movement of goods within the EU market."
"While we are a member of the European Union, we are required to observe law which places restrictions on the introduction of measures that impair the movement of goods within the EU market."
main ban foie gras organisation also relates it to Brexit: “UK’s exit from EU gives us an opportunity to reconsider trade regulations and ban the importation of foie gras”.
Other EU law experts suggest might be able to do it within EU, but I note within EU now no import bans...
Other EU law experts suggest might be able to do it within EU, but I note within EU now no import bans...
So - consulting with EU law experts - what matters here is a ban would breach Article 34 TFEU on free movement of goods count as quantitative restriction, but might be justified under Article 36 derogation for public health of the ducks..
ie foie gras ban might be legal in EU..
ie foie gras ban might be legal in EU..
eg this Dutch/ diplomat professor says it definitely would be legal under EU law, as long as it was ban on all foie gras production from other countries too (though 98% in UK from France) and animal health concerns could be proven to be genuine..
There's a case from 1980s about UK attempt to ban Turkey imports before Christmas (!) - and one about sheep being exported to Spain... (Thanks @CSBarnard24) other EU law experts say France would complain and this would end up at the ECJ, who would have ultimate jurisdiction...
