A BID to ban the sale of foie gras in York would be illegal under European trading law, according to the animal welfare minister.

Ben Bradshaw said yesterday that the delicacy cannot be banned because of EU laws which require all member states to allow free circulation of goods.

Labour councillor Paul Blanchard last month tabled a motion to City of York Council calling for the sale of foie gras to be banned in York on ethical grounds.

Fellow councillors referred the motion to officers to compile a report, before the issue is discussed in depth.

Mr Bradshaw made his comments in a written answer to Mike Hancock, Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth South, who asked whether the Government would take steps to ban the sale and importation of foie gras.

"We do believe that the production of foie gras using force-feeding gives rise to serious welfare concerns," said Mr Bradshaw.

"The most effective action is for individuals not to buy foie gras if they dislike the way it is produced.

"We hope that public pressure will contribute to an end to this practice."

Foie gras is the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened by force feeding.

Tom Harris, of the Southern Animal Rights Coalition, which approached Mr Hancock on the issue, welcomed Mr Bradshaw's comments.

He said: "We are really pleased to see that it has reached this level of debate and hope that public pressure will contribute to an end to it.

"Our experience is that the vast majority of the public are opposed to it."

But food critic Egon Ronay said foie gras fans are unlikely to be swayed.

"Those people who love foie gras will not be affected by all this talk. They will continue to eat foie gras," he said.