Sir, – I am very disappointed to see that Lewis and Coopers of Northallerton is selling foiegras.

Foie-gras is the grossly enlarged liver of a duck or goose and is essentially a disease, marketed as a delicacy. Birds raised for this ‘gourmet’ cruelty are force-fed enormous quantities of food through a long metal pipe, three times a day. This process of deliberate and painful overfeeding continues for up to a month by which time the birds’ livers have swollen to ten times their normal size. Every year, around a million ducks die during this period of forcefeeding.

Foie-gras is not produced in Britain, as the Government has made it clear that its production would contravene existing animal welfare regulations, but sadly it is still perfectly legal to import it.

Why would Lewis and Cooper feel it is morally acceptable to sell a product that is only obtainable through animal cruelty? I will never step foot in the shop while this trade continues.

CLAIRE FAIRWEATHER Kirkgate, Thirsk.