Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, applauded the Chicago City Council for passing a prohibition on selling foie gras within city-limits. The City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the humane proposal (introduced by Alderman Joe Moore) and became the first city in America to enact such a measure.
Other initiatives to end the production and sale of foie gras have been focused on statewide legislation. In 2004, California passed the only U.S. law, which goes into effect in 2012, to end the production and sale of foie gras in the state. Similar bills have has been introduced in Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and New York. More than a dozen European nations already have laws prohibiting foie gras production on ethical grounds.
To make foie gras (translated from French as "fatty liver"), ducks and geese are force fed with a pipe that is shoved down their throats. The force feeding causes the birds' livers to expand up to ten times their normal size causing liver disease. As their livers become engorged, the birds have difficulty walking and even breathing, and many die before reaching slaughter.
Responding to the historic vote, Alderman Moore stated, "Our city is better for taking a stance against the cruelty of foie gras. We have made the case for human decency and I am encouraged by today's vote that our city can lead the way to end this practice nationwide."
Gene Bauston, president of Farm Sanctuary, said "This law is consistent with the humane sentiments of Chicago citizens and codifies our societal belief that all animals, including those raised for food, should be treated with compassion."
A Zogby poll conducted in September, 2005 revealed 79 percent of likely voters in Illinois agree that foie gras production should be banned in the state. Farm Sanctuary is now urging Illinois legislators, and lawmakers in other municipalities, to follow Chicago's humane example and to enact measures to end the cruelty of foie gras production.
Additional information about foie gras production, legislation banning foie gras production, as well as a list of restaurants and retail establishments – including 201 in Illinois – that have pledged to not serve the product, can be found at http://www.NoFoieGras.org.
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