Norwich could become the second city in the UK to ban the sale of foie gras, with calls for shops, restaurants and authorities to stop selling the bird liver because it is deemed cruel.

Norwich could become the second city in the UK to ban the sale of foie gras, with calls for shops, restaurants and authorities to stop selling the bird liver because it is deemed cruel.

The Green Party has put forward a motion to the next full city council meeting to ensure the product is not available in any council services and to discourage Norwich eateries to stop serving it.

If successful, Norwich will follow York City Council, which last month condemned the sale of foie gras. The move was welcomed by animal rights campaigners and it intensified pressure for a national ban on the fatty liver, which is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers become enlarged.

At a Norwich City Council meeting next Tuesday, Adrian Ramsay, right, co-ordinator of the Green party at City Hall, will deliver the motion in an attempt to eradicate the use of foie gras anywhere in Norwich, including city council catering services.

He said: “We are hoping Norwich can lead the way in the ban of this cruel product and put pressure on the government to enforce a national ban.

“It is not commonplace in Norwich, but there are a few places that still serve it. We do not want to see it anywhere - not just in restaurants and shops but also in council catering services.

“If the council and then the government do this it is just one of the things we can do to improve animal welfare in this country.”

Leader of the city council Steve Morphew said the motion was a waste of time and money.

He said: “It is like putting a sign up saying 'no elephants' because we have, to my knowledge, never served foie gras at the council.

“We would not use the product on ethical or financial grounds, so to bring this up and suggest a motion is a waste of time and money. It is laughable.”

Restaurants that serve foie gras include Adlard's in Norwich and the Lavender House in Brundall.

However David Adlard from the St Giles' restaurant said there were no plans to serve it again. “A lot of people think it is cruel but why just foie gras. There are other animals such as battery chickens and veal which are kept in bad conditions so I am not sure why this has been used as an example.”