AT Viva!, we congratulate York councillors for opposing the sale of foie-gras and are delighted that Britain is on the road to becoming foie-gras free (Echo, Oct 6).

As well as York's opposition, 138 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion to prohibit the sale of this barbaric product. We are confident that this will bring the issue to the forefront of political debate.

Foie-gras is the grossly enlarged liver of a duck or goose and is essentially a diseased organ, marketed as a delicacy. Birds raised for this gourmet' cruelty are forcefed 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 swelled to ten times their normal size. The birds can choke to death or die after food is forced into their lungs - one million suffer this fate each year in France.

This barbaric product comes from a different era and has no place on modern menus. We call on other local councils to listen to public opinion and join York in calling for the end to its sale.

However Viva! believes that the only way to end cruelty to all animals is to go veggie, even better vegan. For a free It's Time to go Veggie' pack call Viva! on 0117-944- 1000 or email info@viva.org.uk.

Amy Mason, Viva! Campaigner, Bristol.