The French Department of Agriculture has called in the United States Ambassador for meeting to make him aware of the situation that has arisen following the law that came into force on 1 July in California to prohibit the sale of foie gras on animal welfare grounds.

French industry experts have called on the government to intervene, beause they claim the action is contrary to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"The Government will consider without waiting for the legal aspects of this decision what action to take," said the Ministry of Agriculture Wednesday in a statement.

The Minister for Food, Guillaume Garot, who on Tuesday received representatives of the professional committee on foie gras, brought the matter to the attention of the US Ambassador to France.

The Minister will invite the ambassador to a working meeting on foie gras, in the coming days, the ministry said.

The government said it is also committed "to working with the sector to develop concrete action so that Californians and Americans can appreciate the gastronomic excellence French products such as foie gras."

The ministry added that that Foie Gras is also a valuable export product for France.