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Thousands of ducks die on farm
Image: PETA
PETA calls on chefs to swear off foie gras

A factory farm in New York, which calls itself the "premier producer of foie gras", is estimated by its own calculation to lose 15,000 ducks a year before they make it to slaughter.

As part of a new US investigation, PETA has released video footage showing inhumane practices being carried out at the Hudson Valley Foie Gras farm.

The footage shows workers overfeeding the ducks through steel tubes three times day for several weeks in order to enlarge the animals' livers, as well as inhumane slaughter practices.

According to experts, such force-feeding leads to oesophageal tears and splits, liver rupture and failure, heat stress and aspiration pneumonia.

As a result of the recent investigation, PETA is calling on chefs to cease selling foie gras in their restaurants.

Mimi Bekhechi, associate director at PETA UK said: "Every exposé of foie gras farms has revealed how grotesquely cruel it is to jam pipes down birds' throats and force-feed them until they sicken and die." 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.