We would like to see a ban on the importation of this "delicacy" (a diseased liver) into Guernsey. This enlargement of the goose or duck liver is caused by caged birds being forcibly fed via a pneomatic pump until thier livers are 10 TIMES their normal size.
"Held immobile, birds will suffer the pain and terror of having a metal tube, 20 – 30 centimetres long, thrust down their throats until it reaches the stomach. Vast quantities of corn are forcibly pumped down the tube. This horrific process can happen up to three times a day. There is no escape and no respite.
Naturally, most birds try to struggle, but there is nowhere to go. If a bird’s oesophagus contracts with the urge to vomit, the metal tube can cause suffocation and potentially fatal wounds in his throat. These lesions can become infected and painfully inflamed.
Immediately after forced feeding, he is trapped in the cage, suffering from inevitable breathlessness and diarrhoea. The enlargement of the liver makes all movement painful."
To find out more about this issue please visit:
www.viva.org.uk/foiegras
Some of France's foremost chefs have started removing Foie Gras from their menus. Alain Ducasse, the "king of haute cuisine", has now infact removed all meat from his menu at his flagship restarant at the Plaza Athénée in Paris. If he can remove all meat, then surely just removing foie gras from a menu is nothing!
There is no need for this kind of torture, there are ethical producers such as Sousa & Labourdette who produce foie gras without the force feeding. Please show your support by signing our petition - we will make your voice heard.
Dear States Member,
I am writting to support the petition for the ban of the importation of Foie Gras into Guernsey.
This practice causes huge suffering to the birds that are forcebaly fed to produce this "delicacy". The production is not allowed in Guernsey or indeed Britain, however it is a terrible irony that nothing prevents it being imported. This makes a mockery of our welfare laws.
The World Trade Organisation upheld a ban on seal products in the EU because of public moral concerns. In light of this please urgently investigate the possibility of banning the importation of foie-gras.
Kind Regards
