The Foie Gras Fight
The New York Times
June 29, 2005
To the Editor:
It’s true, animal advocates and ordinary people worldwide are giving a tough time to producers of foie gras (”Chances Fade for Foie Gras Bill,” June 15).
And here’s why:
Foie gras — fattened goose or duck liver — means filling ducks’ stomachs through footlong funnels three times a day. In the course of the monthlong stuffing schedule of nutrient-deficient corn and oil, a duck’s liver may swell to 10 times its normal size.
It is cruelty per se, according to government policy in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Britain and Poland. Israel, the world’s third largest producer of foie gras, phased out the practice in 18 months. The writing is on the wall.
In New York, State Senator Frank Padavan, a Republican from Queens, introduced a bill that would have phased out foie gras in a reasonable time, under a year. So, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, in Ferndale, N.Y., hired a lobbyist to promote a substitute bill. If the Senate decides to continue considering this new faux ban, they are talking about codifying the industry’s force-feeding practices for the next decade.
Thus, what some people believe is a genuine ban is really a gift to the duck owners. When California passed a similar law, California’s sole producer, Sonoma Foie Gras, hailed the law as a victory and thanked legislators for allowing it to remain in operation.
New York’s new, faux ban of foie gras came with a statement of intent that read, in part: “This legislation, if passed, would prohibit this cruel practice and prevent further abuse to animals in New York State.”
If it is “further abuse,” it would be logical, and legal, to end it now.
Susan Russell
Darien, Conn.
The writer is information director for Friends of Animals, an animal advocacy organization.
http://www.nytimes.com
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6 Comments
On August 4, 2005, Dawn Park wrote:
I cant believe this story it is so cruel. I watch the TV network and hear them using foie gras all the time !! I am writing to that network when done here. I am a big fan of Emeril Lagasse and he promotes those receipes alot. And he is in NY city!! I am shocked as I thought the “ducks” liver was used after the duck was raised and then used for the meat, NEVER did I think of the cruelty thta a duck or goose could go thru. GLAD I never tried foie gras !!!!!!
On August 8, 2005, Joan Lee wrote:
I have never eaten foie gras and after the segment I know why. Bye Emeril!
On September 1, 2005, Judy Revier wrote:
This is disgusting to torture these poor birds. I would never eat a duck or goose, period!
On October 13, 2005, Deb Sours wrote:
I have a feline with hepatic liver disease (fatty liver). I am working to get her over it and back to normal…I hope. She is very miserable and sick. I can’t imagine why people would be so inhumane as to purposely make these geese sick - just so they can stuff their greedy faces with the organs of said animals! Disgusting, more ways than I can count. Try a vegetarian lifestyle…your colon will thank you, your general health and well-being will thank you. Oh yes, and the animals left to live their lives in peace will thank you.
On May 22, 2007, natasha wrote:
i learned something new today…now i will never eat that crud…yuck
On February 24, 2009, bosco wrote:
i totally disagree with this kind of product because of the cruelty to the geese.