Restaurants in Harvey Nichols stores will continue to offer foie gras on their menus despite the group’s ban of the controversial delicacy in its food halls.

The department store chain yesterday announced that it would no longer stock French foie gras on its shelves in coming weeks after existing supplies ran out. 

The move came ahead of a planned national protest against the use of foie gras by animal rights group Viva!

However, a spokeswoman for Harvey Nichols today told Caterersearch that the chain’s restaurants will not be affected by the ban. 

“It is up to the chefs to decide whether they want to serve foie gras on their menus and their decision is in no way linked to the stores,” she said.

Justin Kerswell, a Viva! campaigner, said that while he welcomed the chain’s decision to stop selling foie gras, he would strongly appeal to its restaurant business to do the same.

“Foie gras is torture in a tin and there is nothing humane about its production,” he said. 

Foie gras: The ethical debate >> 

RSPCA calls for foie gras ban >> 

Raymond Blanc slammed for serving foie gras by animal activists >> 

York council sidelines motion to ban foie gras >> 

Chicago bans foie gras >> 

By Kerstin Kühn

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