Viva! welcomes foie-gras ban in California

29th June 2012
Viva! welcomes foie-gras ban in California

Group was one of four that sponsored historic bill

CAMPAIGNING animal group Viva! has expressed its relief that California is now on the verge of implementing a ban on the sale of foie-gras – over seven years after then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger originally agreed it.

The ban on foie-gras (which will come into place on July 1) was supported by many celebrities, including Alicia Silverstone, Mary Tyler Moore, Kim Basinger, Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde. Sponsors of the Bill (1520) that led to its eventual ban were Viva!USA, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Farm Animal Sanctuary and LA Lawyers for Animals.
Viva! hopes that it will lead to other states following suit. The group is also reinvigorating its efforts for a ban on the importation and sale of foie-gras in the UK – and is working with other groups to secure a ban across the EU.

Justin Kerswell, Viva! campaigns manager, says: “July 1 2012 is a historic day and a decisive vote for the welfare of animals. It is no wonder that Viva! originally came up with the slogan ‘torture in a tin’, because that’s exactly what foie-gras is. A foodstuff cooked and eaten by those who check their humanity and compassion in at the restaurant door. We are all for freedom of choice, but with freedom comes responsibility – and eating foie-gras is about as far away from responsible eating as you can get.

“Sadly, in the UK, it is still perfectly legal to import and sell foie-gras because of free-trade rules. This makes a mockery of our sovereign welfare laws, as the Government has made it clear that it would be illegal to produce here. However, we are heartened by the fact that fewer and fewer places appear to be selling it as consumers reject foie-gras in ever growing numbers. Even the majority of French people now agree that it is cruel*. Really, the time has come to boot foie-gras production back into the history books where it belongs.

“However, those who have rightly had their consciences troubled by the horrific suffering of the millions of birds and ducks still subjected to the terrors of forced-feeding should also spare a thought for other animals raised for food. There is no such thing as humane meat. The best way to end the suffering of animals is to not eat them. It’s as simple as that.”

For more information about this media release, call Justin Kerswell on 0117 944 1000 or email justin@viva.org.uk. More on Viva!’s campaigns against foie-gras at www.viva.org.uk/foiegras