A CITY has become the first place in the UK to call for a ban on the sale of foie gras on animal cruelty grounds.

City of York Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion that declared the authority's opposition to the French culinary delicacy.

The council also agreed to oppose the sale of foie gras, which is made from the livers of ducks or geese which have been force-fed. Its production is already banned in several countries, including the UK.

Before Thursday night's council meeting, dozens of activists gathered outside the Guildhall in St Helen's Square, York, where model and vegetarian Adele Tyrala was force-fed through a pipe to demonstrate the way geese and ducks are treated in the production of foie gras.

The motion passed by the authority commits the council to write to the Government, stating its concerns over foie gras and calling for a review of national policies.

A link to Compassion in World Farming's website will also go on the council's own site, and hospitality organisations in the city will be informed of the council's stance.

The motion was put forward by Labour councillor Paul Blanchard, who is running a nation-wide campaign to have sales of foie gras banned from the UK.

Coun Blanchard said: "I am absolutely elated at the motion being passed. We now want to try and get it banned from the whole of the UK.

"I am hopeful that the fact I have managed to persuade almost the whole council, including councillors of all political persuasions, to get behind this motion will add great credibility to the fight.

"It sends out the message that York does not tolerate animal cruelty.

"I hope that the passing of this motion is the beginning of the end for foie gras."

Coun Blanchard initially called for the delicacy to be banned from York, but the council sought legal opinion and was advised that this would be contrary to European Union law, which requires member states to allow the free circulation of goods.

His wider campaign has seen an Early Day Motion tabled in Parliament, which was signed by 138 MPs, and a petition on the Downing Street website, which attracted 9,000 signatures.