In February, California state Sen. John Burton introduces a bill in the state senate to ban the production of foie gras within that state.
After introducing his bill, Burton told reporters that the force feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras should be outlawed,
They put a tube down their throat, down their esophagus, and shoot that food down there, whether they want it or not, cram it right down their gullet. And many places, other countries have banned it. The state of Israel has banned it. I just think it’s the right thing to do.
The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights issued a press release in early February touting a coalition of animal rights groups that will be doing their part to support the bill and asking activists to contact California legislators with their support for the bill. The press release said,
The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) is working with a coalition of groups including Farm Sanctuary, Viva!USA and LA Lawyers for Animals, as the sponsors of this bill.
. . .
We need your help to ensure that this bill is passed into law and this inhumane practice is ended in our state. There is only one foie gras producer in California (Sonoma Foie Gras), but they’ve already hired an attorney to work on their behalf and have recruited exclusive restaurateurs to fight for this high-priced luxury item made from diseased ducks.
The full text of the bill can be read here.
Sources:
Help ban force feeding of ducks in California. Press Release, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, February 2004.
Sacre bleu! No more foie gras from California?. Spencer Swartz, Reuters, February 12, 2004.