States Join California in Considering Bans on Force Feeding of Ducks and Geese- May 2005
Legislation to ban the force feeding of ducks and geese in the production of foie gras is now pending in four different states: New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and Oregon. These bills were introduced this year on the heels of the successful California ban, signed into law in 2004 by Governor Schwarzenegger. (See below for more information.) For updates and information on how you can help with the bans in the New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and Oregon, go to. www.nofoiegras.org. Schwarzenegger Terminates Form of Animal CrueltySigns Bill to Ban Force Feeding of Birds to Produce Foie GrasSacramento, CA (September 2004) - Demonstrating he truly cares about the welfare of animals, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed SB 1520 into law, a bill that bans the force feeding of ducks and geese in the production of foie gras. The bill also bans the sale of the product when made from force fed birds, both provisions taking effect in California in the year 2012. SB 1520 was authored by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, who took on the legislation because he felt that, "Cramming food down a duck's throat to make a gourmet item known as foie gras is not only unnecessary, it's inhumane." The bill was supported by more than a dozen top celebrities including Martin Sheen, Sir Paul McCartney, Kim Bassinger, Alicia Silverstone and Mary Tyler Moore. It also was supported by a broad coalition of animal protection groups, including the sponsors: the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Farm Sanctuary, Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals and Viva!USA. Animal advocates hailed SB 1520 as a major victory for the ducks and geese. Approximately 20,000 ducks are force fed and slaughtered every year by Sonoma Foie Gras, the sole California producer of foie gras. Moreover, the legislation is considered historic in the protection of animals, as it is one of a few times that a state has banned an inherently cruel factory farming practice. Foie gras is produced by force feeding ducks or geese large amounts of food so that their livers swell to up to 10 times normal size. A pipe is shoved down the bird's esophagus and food is forced into the stomach. The process is repeated two or three times daily for two to three weeks until the birds develop fatty liver disease. The birds are then slaughtered to produce foie gras. In signing the bill, Schwarzenegger took a significant step in demonstrating his commitment to animal welfare. Burton also showed he's a true friend of the animals by shepherding the bill through the Legislature. The only other foie gras farm in the United States is located in New York, and legislation is pending in that state to ban the practice. Several other countries, including Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the majority of provinces in Austria, have already banned force feeding to produce foie gras. HELP BAN FORCE FEEDING OF DUCKS AND GEESE URGE GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER TO SIGN SB 1520 INTO LAWWe need your help one more time!Both the California Senate and Assembly have approved SB 1520, the bill to ban the force feeding of ducks and geese and sale of foie gras from force fed birds in California. The bill is now on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk, and we need as many advocates as possible to urge him to sign this bill into law. An animal group has been distributing misleading information, which has put the bill in jeopardy, and Schwarzenegger himself has stated that he considers the subject "silly." Contact Governor Schwarzenegger Today!
Please contact Schwarzenegger as soon as possible and simply register your support for SB 1520. Remind him that animal cruelty is a serious matter. This bill will help protect thousands of birds from the inhumane practice of force feeding. Also of note, most European countries, including the majority of provinces in his home country of Austria, have already banned the cruel practice. This is our chance to set a strong precedent for the United States by banning an inhumane factory farming practice. Please act as soon as possible! Phone calls and letters are best. If you use email, you must include your address. Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign SB 1520!More than 31 animal protection organizations representing one million Californians are supporting SB 1520. Click here to download an advertisement running in the September 3 issue of The Los Angeles Times and The Sacramento Bee listing the supporting organizations. California Assembly Passes Bill to Ban Force Feeding of Ducks and GeeseAugust 24, 2004 ...The California Assembly today voted to approve Senate Bill 1520, a bill that would ban the force feeding of ducks and geese and sales of foie gras from force-fed animals in California. The bill, authored by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco), passed out of the Assembly with a 44-28 vote. In asking his colleagues to support the bill, Burton said it’s time that California take a stand against the cruel practice of force feeding. "Cramming food down a duck's throat to make a gourmet item known as foie gras is not only unnecessary, it's inhumane," said Senator Burton. Also speaking in support of the bill on the Assembly floor was Assemblymember Joe Nation, a Democrat from San Rafael, who said the restriction is needed to stop an inhumane practice. Foie gras is produced by force feeding ducks or geese large amounts of food so that their livers swell to up to 10 times normal size. A pipe is shoved down the bird's esophagus and food is forced into the stomach. The process is repeated two or three times daily for two to three weeks until the birds are slaughtered to produce foie gras. SB 1520 will now be sent back to the Senate for concurrence on final amendments to the bill before the end of the month. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger then will have until the end of September to sign the bill into law. SB 1520 has already been described as one of the top 10 bills which will test Governor Schwarzenegger on his policy positions and help define his administration. Currently, there is only one California farm, near Stockton, which uses force feeding to produce foie gras. However, other businesses have indicated an interest in opening foie gras farms in California. The only other foie gras farm in the United States is located in New York, and legislation is also pending in that state to ban the practice. Several other countries, including Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, have already banned forced feeding to produce foie gras. Four animal protection groups are sponsoring SB 1520. They includethe Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Farm Sanctuary, Viva!USA, and Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals. More than 15 other animal protection organizations, representing one million Californians, have also announced their support for the bill as have several celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Martin Sheen, Bea Arthur, Valerie Harper and Melissa Rivers. Support Needed for SB 1520Bill To Ban Force Feeding of Ducks and Geese Faces Final Critical Vote!AUGUST 2004 UPDATE ... We're almost there! SB 1520 is headed for its last critical vote in the California Legislature. The bill, which bans the force feeding of ducks and geese, as well as sales of the product in California, will be up for a vote on the California Assembly floor this month (probably within the next two weeks.) SB 1520 has already been approved by the California Senate by a vote of 21-14 and the Assembly Business and Professions Committee by a 9-4 vote. (It was amended in the Senate to include a 7 1/2-year phase out in order to continue to move forward.) SB 1520 is authored by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. SB 1520 now needs 41 "yes" votes to pass out of the Assembly, and it's going to be a close vote. We need as many California animal advocates as possible to contact their assemblymembers and urge them to vote in favor of this important legislation. Members of the veterinary profession from any state should also contact Governor Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign the bill, as veterinary input will carry extra weight. (Following the Assembly vote, SB 1520 will return to the Senate for concurrence on the amendments and then head to Governor Schwarzenegger for his signature.) If passed into law, SB 1520 will become landmark legislation banning a commercial farming practice that is both inhumane and unnecessary. Background: Foie gras (or fatty liver) is produced by using a pipe inserted into the esophagus of a duck or goose and force feeding excessive amounts of food several times daily. This practice intentionally causes their livers to swell to up to 10 times normal size. Some restaurants serve the fatty liver as an expensive food item. Many countries, including Denmark, Norway, Poland, Germany, and Israel, ban the practice because it is considered cruel. In the United States, there are only two producers of foie gras, one in New York and one in California. What You Can Do:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger |
