Compassion Over Killing News
Takoma Park City Council Says Foie Gras Production Is Too Cruel to Swallow
TAKOMA PARK, Md., July 1 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Last night, the Takoma Park City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing one of the most abusive factory farming practices: the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras.
This resolution, initiated by Mayor Bruce Williams and introduced by Council Member Reuben Snipper (Ward 5), states that the council "opposes the production and sale of foie gras" and further "encourages Takoma Park residents not to buy foie gras in order to avoid supporting this extreme form of animal cruelty."
Compassion Over Killing, a Takoma Park-based animal advocacy charity, applauds the Council for adopting this resolution, which expresses the compassionate sentiments shared by many community residents, including several who testified at the hearing.
The production of foie gras involves shoving a tube down bird's throats and forcing large quantities of food directly into them. This force-feeding process leads to a number of significant welfare problems and ultimately induces a disease that causes the birds' livers to swell up to ten times the normal size. Foie gras, which is French for "fatty liver," is made from the birds' enlarged and diseased livers.
"As a former animal control officer in our nation's capital, I'm certain that if dogs and cats were subjected to the same abuses as ducks and geese on foie gras factory farms, it would lead to criminal prosecution," stated Erica Meier, executive director of Compassion Over Killing. "By passing this resolution, the Takoma Park City Council is sending a message that this form of animal cruelty is too appalling to be condoned in a civilized society."
Animal welfare concerns have prompted more than a dozen countries and the State of California to ban the production and/or sale of foie gras. Takoma Park has taken the lead on this issue by becoming the first Maryland city to condemn force-feeding birds for foie gras. Additionally, in October 2006, the Council passed a resolution opposing the intensive confinement of egg-laying hens in tiny cages where they can't spread their wings or walk.
Compassion Over Killing (COK) is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization based in the Washington, D.C. area. Since 1995, COK has worked to end the abuse of animals in agriculture through undercover investigations, public outreach, litigation, and other advocacy programs. On the web at www.COK.net.
SOURCE Compassion Over Killing
Search Our News Using Google Search
Can't find what you want? Try using Google:
