Today, two campaigners leafleted the ‘French Products’ stall at the Cambridge city centre market, that was the focus of a slightly larger demo last week due to its sale of Foie Gras. Foie-Gras is a so-called delicacy the production of which commonly involves the force-feeding of geese by shoving tubes down the animals’ throats. The animals’ liver then swells painfully. In the UK force-feeding birds is not legal, but the government claims EU/international rules mean they cannot ban its sale.

The person who seems to be running the ‘French Products’ stall said they did not have any Foie Gras, but wouldn’t agree to stop selling the controversial product. While ‘French Products’ may wish to see this as a battle between themselves and the protesters, it is clearly the Cambridge public that are the ones choosing not to buy from the stall.

One person who is thought to be a stall holder at the market mentioned the treatment of girls in the protesters’ country, the jibe, clearly referring to the skin colour of the protesters, was aimed at individuals who are both British citizens and concerned about human rights issues!

The peaceful leafleters gave out a number of leaflets to members of the public and hope they have educated many people about this issue. However, despite supermarkets pulling Foie-Gras from their shelves ‘French Products’ seems set to keeping this small part of their stall alive. The protesters hope the business will make the sensible choice and decide not to put off potential customers.

The protesters would like to thank people who have contacted ‘French Products’ about this issue and for putting up with ranting responses they may have received. People who wish to express their opposition to the sale of this product, may wish to politely contact ‘French Products’. Responses to emails are likely to be ranting, however the protesters ask that you remain polite and refer any abusive emails from ‘French Products’ to the relevant authorities.

‘French Products’ e-mail and phone:

E-mail  frenchproducts@hotmail.com

Phone 0044-7847213011 (for UK callers, I believe you simply take off ‘0044’ and add ‘0’)

learn more about Foie-Gras see

 http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/foiegras/index.html
 http://www.ciwf.org.uk/campaigns/other_campaigns/exotic_foods.html

To get active for animals in Cambridge check out the website of Animal Rights Cambridge at  http://animalrightscambridge.bravehost.com and come to one of the meetings on the fourth Monday of every month @ The Bath House, just off Mill Road. (£1 hall hire per person)