The heir to the British throne has instructed chefs at his residences not to buy or serve foie gras, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

The technique of producing foie gras by force feeding birds dates to Egypt in 2500 B.C.

France is the largest producer and consumer of foie gras but sales of the delicacy are banned in Germany, Israel, Norway and Poland.

Prince Charles' decision to stop serving foie gras was disclosed in a letter to Joyce Moss, an activist with Vegetarian International Voice for Animals, The Times said.

Animal rights campaigners in Britain have been trying to persuade the government to ban foie gras but officials say doing so would violate EU laws.