Sir Roger Moore honoured by Peta
Wednesday November 18 2009
Sir Roger Moore has been named person of the year by an animal charity for his public campaign against foie gras.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) said it was honouring the 82-year-old Bond actor for his "vigorous support in exposing the 'rather ugly' conditions in which ducks and geese suffer".
Sir Roger has narrated films highlighting the cruelty in its production, fronted poster campaigns and has also written to every member of the House of Commons asking them to ban its sale in the UK.
Although it is illegal to produce foie gras in Britain, it is still legal to sell it - an anomaly which led Sir Roger into a public battle with department store Selfridges.
Earlier this month the actor paid for a poster to be placed directly outside the shop's Food Hall which showed him holding a sign reading: "Force-Feeding Birds Is Cruel, Not Yule".
A Selfridges spokesman confirmed on Wednesday it no longer stocks foie gras.
Peta says birds used for foie gras are immobilised in tiny crates and force fed a corn-mash which swells their livers to 10 times their normal size, leaving the animals sick and unable to move because of liver disease.
Sir Roger will receive a plaque and a copy of Peta president Ingrid E Newkirk's book One Can Make a Difference.
Previous Peta person of the year winners include fashion designer Stella McCartney and X Factor winner Leona Lewis.
Press Association
