Another successful encounter of the Circle of Foie Gras Friends

A new edition of the Circle of Foie Gras Friends cocktail was held on 21 March at the Representation of the New-Aquitaine Region in Brussels. About 60 MEPs, members of the permanent and regional representations to the EU, and other friends of foie gras gathered for a moment of sharing and conviviality around this delicacy. This was an opportunity to thank two MEPs for their mobilisation in favour of our European production by awarding them the Federation’s Golden Palm.

After thanking the numerous participants for their presence at this third and last cocktail of the Circle of this mandate, Christophe Barrailh, President of Euro Foie Gras, recalled the numerous challenges that the sector will have to face in this pre-electoral year:

• The implementation of vaccination to combat avian influenza, vaccination that has just been authorised by the European Union. Nevertheless, biosecurity and monitoring measures are and will remain the pillars of the fight against avian influenza. Ensuring continued exports to third countries will also be a major challenge.
• The adoption of legislative proposals on animal welfare in autumn 2023. Recalling that the sector has always been in a ‘constructive’ mindset, Mr Barrailh also warned the European Commission “against any unreasonable proposal that would have dramatic consequences for our extensive, mostly free-range and family farming system”.
• The revision of the European marketing standards for poultry, including foie gras, for which Euro Foie Gras calls on the European institutions to maintain the status quo in order to allow our product to retain its excellence and for consumers to be properly informed.

The Federation also awarded the Golden Palm to two MEPs who are members of the Circle and who have particularly distinguished themselves by their constant commitment to the European production of foie gras: Ms Sander and Mr Zoido. Both great lovers of European gastronomy, they have always supported our sector with strength and conviction both on the subject of animal welfare and marketing standards. 

Euro Foie Gras also had the pleasure to induct two new MEPs from Spain and to thank the MEPs already members of the Circle. Exchanges were friendly around delicious and multiple preparations based on fat palmipeds.  This was the last opportunity to meet during this term of the European Parliament before the European elections of 2024. The appointment has already been made for a new cocktail in 2025!