
The new legislation will prevent producers from moving their operations into Malta but falls short in that it does not ban the sale of foie gras or fur locally from any unscrupulous buyer.
Malta has become the latest country to impose a ban on fur and foie gras production.
The Ministry of Agriculture issued a new legal notice, which amends the regulation on the Protection of Animals, and now prohibits the forced feeding of birds and the raising of animals for their fur with immediate effect.
The government noted that although the Mediterranean country currently has no operating fur or foie gras farms, the ban is a precautionary step and crucial to ‘ensure the protection of these animals’.
While the ban will prevent producers from moving their operations into Malta from other countries, it does not ban the sale of foie gras or fur locally from any unscrupulous buyer.
‘Positive step in the right direction’
Veggy Malta, a plant-based advocacy group, welcomed the ban. In a post on Facebook, it hailed the legislation as a ‘positive step in the right direction’.
“These are the type of bold, progressive actions that need to be taken in favour of animals,” the group wrote in the post.
“Malta needs to have the courage to take further steps to move away from animal-based agriculture and invest in the production of alternative foods that are animal friendly and also planet friendly.”
Fur and foie gras ban status in other countries
Malta has now joined fourteen other EU countries including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom in banning production of fur.
There is also an ongoing European Citizens’ Initiative called “Fur Free Europe” which calls on the EU to ban fur farms and ban farmed fur products from the European market.
Where foie gras production is concerned, it is technically illegal in the EU under Article 3 of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.
The specialty food product, which is made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been force-fed via a process known as ‘gavage’ is banned in several European countries, including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, and Germany.
However, five EU member states – Bulgaria, France, Spain, Hungary, Belgium – have circumvented this EU legislation based on regional heritage claims and traditional ties with the luxury foodstuff.
Other countries including Norway, Turkey, and the UK have also banned foie gras production. In the US it’s been banned in the entire state of California and in New York City.
Despite the ban, it is still legal to import foie gras in many of the countries listed above from abroad where the production is still allowed. In the UK, over 200 tonnes of foie gras is imported every year.
Share this story: Malta announces bans on fur farming and foie gras production.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th January 2023
Do you know which ingredients make your shampoo non-vegan? The cosmetic industry has gone through a radical shift in the last few years as more consumers become aware of the impact their purchases make. As a result, the demand for vegan hair care products has soared. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in …
Continue reading “What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try”
Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 18th January 2023
The NHS Start for Life website has added information about vegan and vegetarian babies. Nutritionists and dietitians have raised concerns about the health implications of vegan diets for babies following the publication of the NHS’s vegan infant nutrition guide. The NHS Start for Life website, which provides guidance for new parents, has added a new …
Continue reading “Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …