27/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Franco-German dispute on foie gras. The French secretary of state for external trade, Pierre Lellouche, made a request to the German ambassador in Paris on Wednesday 27 July (Reinhard Schäfers) to display some “authority” with regard to the organisers of the Cologne Fair, who are refusing to allow foie gras producers to attend (EUROPE 10416). The ANUGA Fair decided to exclude foie gras from its next fair on 8-12 October. The French secretary of state has asked the German ambassador to ensure that the German state exercises its strong authority with regard to the organisers and ensure that European law is respected with regard to the free movement and non-discrimination of goods, he added. The French secretary of state warned that “a boycott of our products could have global repercussions”. The foie gras industry in France accounts for around 35,000 jobs. (L.C./transl.fl)