COMMONS Leader Mark Spencer said he sees no reason why plans to ban imports of foie gras and fur in new animal welfare legislation “won’t be forthcoming”.

It comes as the BBC reported the Government is likely to drop the proposal after several ministers raised concerns.

British farmers are already banned from making the liver-based French delicacy because ducks and geese are force-fed during its production.

But officials said in May the Government would explore a ban on the sale of foie gras under a raft of legislation designed at protecting animals.

READ MORE: Tories face backlash over 'U-turn' on 'appallingly cruel' foie gras and fur import ban

During business questions, SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, Patricia Gibson, raised the issue, asking the Commons Leader: “The Government says it wants to be a world leader on animal welfare.

“However, despite a ban on the production of animal fur products and foie gras in the UK, there is as yet no ban on imports into the UK of these horrifically cruel and completely unnecessary products.

“Will the Leader of the House make a statement stating out his opposition to importing these products into the UK, and will he support legislation to ensure that such imports, which allow the UK to simply outsource its animal cruelty, to be introduced as soon as possible?”

Spencer said Gibson was right to highlight the issue, adding: “In a former life as a UK farmer, I think the United Kingdom has a fantastic record of animal welfare. It’s something that I’m enormously proud of and we’ve made manifesto commitments to bring forward such legislation.

“I see no reason why that legislation won’t be forthcoming. Indeed, we announced today in the business the Animal Sentience Bill, which is an example of Government legislation which has been introduced on that matter.”

When asked if the Government is still committed to banning the import of foie gras and fur, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said no decisions have been made.

A spokesman said: “This Government is united in its commitment to upholding its world-leading standards in animal welfare.

“Our Action plan for Animal Welfare sets out the Government’s vision to introduce a range of world-leading reforms to improve the welfare and conservation of animals at home and abroad.”

On Monday, pressed on whether Boris Johnson would like to see the ban in the Animals Abroad Bill, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think we will need to wait for the Bill. I’m not going to pre-empt that.

“I’m simply not seeking to pre-empt Government policy, you’ll see the position when set out.”

Foie gras was also mentioned during Cabinet Office questions on Thursday morning, when Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg was jokingly asked by Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, whether he could confirm the specialty food “won’t be on the menu” when the Government finally responds to the National Food Strategy.

According to the BBC, Rees-Mogg is opposed to the ban on fur and foie gras imports because he does not believe the Government should be imposing restrictions on consumers.

Rees-Mogg said people would be able to “guess” whether or not he likes the food product.

He said: “I don’t think we need to go into my personal dietary habits.

“I have mainly been giving free publicity to Cadbury Creme Eggs over the years rather than going into the details over whether or not I like foie gras, although people may able to guess what the answer is.”