Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal
district court ruling that invalidated a California ban on force-feeding ducks to
make foie gras, or “fatty
liver. The production of foie gras by force-feeding ducks is once again prohibited
in California!
district court ruling that invalidated a California ban on force-feeding ducks to
make foie gras, or “fatty
liver. The production of foie gras by force-feeding ducks is once again prohibited
in California!
The lower court’s decision wrongly characterized force-feeding
as an “ingredient, not a cruel animal husbandry practice. The Ninth Circuit stated:
as an “ingredient, not a cruel animal husbandry practice. The Ninth Circuit stated:
“Force-fed is not a physical
component that we find in our poultry; it is a feeding technique that farmers
use. … As societal values change, so too do our notions of acceptable food
products. Like foie gras, horsemeat was once a delicacy. … Today,
many states, including California, ban horsemeat because they
consider the idea of eating horse repugnant. California, like a growing
number of countries around the world, has concluded that force-fed foie gras is
similarly repugnant.
Repugnant it is. In 2013 Mercy For Animals conducted an
undercover investigation at Hudson Valley Foie Gras, one of the three plaintiffs in
the lawsuit that led to the lower court’s ruling. Using a hidden camera, MFA
documented the inherent cruelty of foie gras production. The investigation
exposed workers violently grabbing ducks and shoving metal pipes down their throats.
undercover investigation at Hudson Valley Foie Gras, one of the three plaintiffs in
the lawsuit that led to the lower court’s ruling. Using a hidden camera, MFA
documented the inherent cruelty of foie gras production. The investigation
exposed workers violently grabbing ducks and shoving metal pipes down their throats.
See this barbaric practice for yourself.
This heinous practice causes ducks’ livers to swell up to 10
times their normal size. Violently force-feeding birds to induce a disease
state is egregiously cruel and has no place in a civilized society.
times their normal size. Violently force-feeding birds to induce a disease
state is egregiously cruel and has no place in a civilized society.
We applaud the Ninth Circuit’s decision. The people of
California have spoken, and they don’t support blatant animal abuse.
California have spoken, and they don’t support blatant animal abuse.
The best way to protect all farmed animals from unspeakable
cruelty and a lifetime of suffering is to leave them off your plate.
Click here to learn more.
cruelty and a lifetime of suffering is to leave them off your plate.
Click here to learn more.
