AR-News: Martin Sheen Joins Campaign to Ban Foie Gras

[Pam at AVAR]

For Immediate Release
Contact: Teri Barnato, AVAR, teri at avar.org
Martin Sheen Joins Campaign to Ban Cruel Foie Gras
  Bill to Ban Force-Feeding of Ducks and Geese Headed for California 
Assembly Hearing on Tuesday June 22

Sacramento, CA - Actor Martin Sheen is fed up with the cruel way in which 
ducks and geese are force fed to produce the "delicacy" known as foie gras 
(French for "fatty liver"), and this week he is calling on the California 
State Assembly to support a bill to ban the sale and production of foie 
gras statewide.

         The bill, SB 1520, is headed for a hearing with the California 
Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday, June 22, at 9 a.m. 
in Room 447 at the State Capitol. The bill, authored by Senate President 
Pro Tem John Burton, was already approved by the California Senate in May.

         In letters faxed to California Assembly members this week, Sheen, 
the Golden Globe-winning West Wing star, writes:

I was shocked to learn ... about the extreme cruelty involved in foie gras 
production ... terrified ducks and geese have long pipes shoved down their 
throats, up to three times a day, through which inordinate amounts of food 
are pumped into their stomachs. ... If such methods were used on dogs and 
cats, there would surely be multiple counts of felony cruelty to animals 
charges filed. Yet, in California, it is legal to inflict such unthinkable 
cruelty upon ducks and geese, who are just as capable of experiencing pain 
and suffering.

         Sheen continues, "Let me leave you with the words of one of 
California's favorite sons, my friend César Chavez, who said, 'Kindness and 
compassion toward all living things is a mark of a civilized society ... 
Only when we have become nonviolent toward all life will we have learned to 
live well ourselves.'"

         In explaining why he introduced SB 1520, which would ban both the 
sale and production of foie gras made from force fed animals, Burton has 
said, “I believe that cramming food down a duck’s throat to make foie gras, 
or a so-called gourmet item, is cruel.”

         Other celebrities who have written in support of SB 1520 include 
Sir Paul McCartney and Alicia Silverstone. Actresses Bea Arthur and Valerie 
Harper and celebrity host Melissa Rivers have also traveled to Sacramento 
to show their support for the legislation.

         SB 1520 is sponsored by the Association of Veterinarians for 
Animal Rights, Viva!USA, Farm Sanctuary and LA Lawyers for Animals. For 
more on the foie gras issue, go to www.avar.org/foiegras2.html.

#

Pam Runquist
Director of Companion Animal Issues
Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
PO Box 208
Davis, CA 95617-0208
Tel: (530) 759-8106
pam at avar.org

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