AR-News: (US-CA) California Senator Pushing to Ban Foie Gras

[Pam at AVAR]

Burton pushing to outlaw foie gras Sonoma-based producer would be forced to 
close
February 11, 2004

By PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Foie gras would be pulled from menus and the sole West Coast supplier, 
Sonoma Foie Gras, would be put out of business by legislation proposed by 
state Senate President Pro-Tem John Burton.

The bill, to be introduced next week, would ban the sale or production of 
the duck liver delicacy and impose heavy fines for violators.

The powerful San Francisco Demo- crat's bill comes in response to calls 
from animal rights groups that say ducks suffer unnecessarily from the 
force-feeding method used to enlarge their livers before slaughter.

"It's extremely cruel," said Teri Barnato, national director of the 
Association for Veterinarians for Animal Rights, which approached Burton 
regarding the bill. "Especially because it's done for a product that is 
considered some kind of high-faluting gourmet dish."

Sonoma Foie Gras owner Guillermo Gonzalez and the state restaurant 
association vowed to fight the proposal, which they called an unfair attack 
on their industries.

Gonzalez said there is no scientific evidence to suggest ducks suffer from 
his "managed feeding" techniques, which involve funneling food down ducks' 
throats to swell their livers. On the contrary, he said a French study 
shows the ducks feel no pain.

"I treat animals with the best care possible," said Gonzalez, who runs a 
10-acre farm in San Joaquin County and has headquarters in Sonoma.

Burton's bill would prohibit force feeding ducks or geese to enlarge their 
livers and would set a penalty of $1,000 per bird per day for violators. It 
also would bar any such product from being sold in the state.

Burton, who introduced similar bills in the past, didn't return phone calls 
Tuesday seeking comment. But he told the Associated Press that a ban on 
foie gras is overdue.

"I mean, would you like somebody cramming food down your throat?" he said. 
"It seems kind of ... weird, you know?"

The issue divided two Democrats running for a North Bay Assembly seat. 
Santa Rosa City Councilwoman Noreen Evans said she was unsure whether a ban 
was wise, while Santa Rosa school board member Jim Leddy was a solid supporter.

The foie gras controversy erupted last summer with vandalism at a Sonoma 
restaurant and the homes of some of its owners. Gonzalez is a part owner of 
the restaurant.

Sonoma Foie Gras sued animal rights groups that admitted breaking into its 
facilities, and the groups responded with a countersuit.

The head of one of the groups, Elliot Katz, called Burton's bill a sign 
that the cause of protecting ducks is gaining momentum. He said 12 European 
countries have banned foie gras and legislation is pending in New York.

"It's a right and just thing to say ... this goes against humane treatment 
of animals," said Katz, a Mill Valley veterinarian and president of In 
Defense of Animals.

Restaurant lobbyists said animal activists really want to ban the 
production and sale of all meat and have seized on foie gras as the first step.

John Dunlap, president of the California Restaurant Association, said 
outlawing duck liver would put the state on a slippery slope to banning 
beef, pork and poultry.

"Out of all the things going on in state government for this to be a 
priority for Mr. Burton, I find it absolutely amazing," Dunlap said. "We 
are going to oppose it vigorously because it's nonsensical."

Rob Larman, owner and chef at La Poste French bistro in Sonoma, agreed.

Larman called foie gras a "nano issue" and said the bill picks on a niche 
group of consumers while issues involving the beef and poultry industries 
go unchecked.

"But does John Burton want to get in front of the powerful beef lobby?" 
Larman asked. "Probably not."

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 521-5250 or ppayne at pressdemocrat.com.

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