Joint Statement On Fois Gras Issued By Six Specialty Food Companies

Although we all know that foie gras production methods are safe and humane, there are animal rights extremists who are pushing to make foie gras illegal throughout the country. This movement is not only anti-agriculture, but is at its very soul, anti-American.

Even if you don’t eat foie gras or sell it, you must read this. The issue is not about whether our production methods are safe and humane – scientific studies prove that they are. The issue is the right of the public to choose what to eat. It is about the American value of freedom, the freedom to eat and to sell what is lawfully produced.

Today, the animal rights extremists seek a nationwide foie gras prohibition. If we give up without a fight, tomorrow they will seek to ban even more animal products – and the specialty food items are an easier target than the massive beef industry. Where will they stop? It is in the interest of freedom of choice that we urge you to arm yourself with the facts, and join us in the movement to address the anti-foie gras movement, before the extremists arrive at your meat case to put you out of business.

The outcry from those who would ban foie gras completely is about our methods of production, which they claim are unsafe and inhumane. We know they are not. But, don’t take our word for it. We invite you to do your own due diligence. To this end, we would be glad to arrange a visit to the foie gras farm nearest you, for you and your team. Join us and stand for your rights. Stand with us beside all the other business owners who refuse to be coerced by extremists.

We invite you to read on to learn more about the reality of foie gras production.

Did you know that:
• Ducks have no gag reflex, & their esophagi have a tough lining, so they can swallow fish & other prey without pain.

"The basic oesophagus is a simple, narrow tube, which often widens into a sack-like crop, where food can be stored temporarily. The oesophagus can stretch considerably to accommodate large prey, such as when an egret swallows a large fish whole."
~The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour

The National Audubon Society states that "….birds have a remarkable ability to expand the mouth and stretch the esophagus to swallow large prey…"

Consequently, the assertion that force feeding ducks by placing tubes in their throats cause the animal pain, and are therefore inhumane, is a complete untruth with no scientific basis. Rather, force feeding takes advantage of a natural trait of the bird – its ability to swallow large volumes of food without feeling pain.

• In nature, ducks fatten their livers for energy prior to migration & the effect is reversible.

"Based on the extra physiological use of a natural fattening phenomenon, foie gras has been recognized as a non-pathological and non-harmful product. It has been shown that physiological indicators of stress, nociceptive signs and behavioral responses were hardly affected by the force-feeding procedure."
~Drs. Daniel Guémené and Gerard Guy, in "The Past, Present and Future of Force-Feeding and 'Foie Gras' Production"

So, once more, the foie gras production method takes advantage of a natural trait of the animal to enlarge its liver, without causing any harm to the animal.

• Independent vets & scientists conclude that hand-feeding ducks causes them no harm.

The most detailed scientific study of the effect of feeding on ducks on foie gras farms, published in 2004 in the World Poultry Science Journal, contradicts the claims of anti-meat activists. That study concluded that foie gras is a “non pathological and non-harmful product.” Further, the study found that biological indicators of stress were “hardly affected” by the feeding procedure.

• American foie gras is raised on small-scale farms using artisanal methods.

There are only three farms raising foie gras in the United States. Each uses the managed feeding method, where individual feeders establish relationships with the group of ducks they feed. Anthony Bourdain filmed a foie gras farm for No Reservations.,

• The American Veterinary Medical Association has investigated foie gras production, and has refused to take a position against it.

“Because limited peer-reviewed, scientific information dealing with the animal welfare concerns associated with foie gras production is available, and because the observations and practical experience of House of Delegates members indicate a minimum of adverse effects on the birds involved, the HOD did not support the resolution opposing force feeding used to produce foie gras.”

The fact that AVMA has refused to condemn foie gras production after conducting an investigation shows that science does not support the claims of the animal rights extremists.
To learn more visit http://www.artisanfarmers.org/

The bottom line is that foie gras production is not only humane, it is in the mainstream of animal agriculture and American society. If one looks to scientific studies and not to extremists for information, it is evident that claims of animal cruelty are simply not supported by the facts.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your time,

Source: Bella Gourmet
D’Artagnan
Elevages Perigord
Hudson Valley Foie Gras
Rougie
Sonoma Foie Gras