Chef vs. Gov: Battle Foie Gras

Chicago is debating a ban on foie gras... the barbaric vs. tasty quotient is at high levels on both sides.
But would you rather chefs take a stand, diners on a table-by-table basis, or the government...?

From the New York TImes:

''Our laws are a reflection of our culture,'' said Joe Moore, an alderman who has proposed banning the sale of foie gras in the city, as he addressed the council's health committee on Tuesday. ''Our culture does not condone the torture of innocent and defenseless creatures. And we as a society believe all God's creatures should be treated humanely.''
 

Charile Trotter, who has come out against the serving of foie gras had a row with Rick Tramonto a while back that deteriorated into personal attacks which goes to show the spectrum even within the best kitchens. Chefs seem to be all over the board here. But from a patron's point of view when an item is on a menu at a 5 star restaurant isn't it thusly deemed "Good"?

Although Mr. Trotter, 46, stopped serving foie gras, he questioned the government's role in banning it, saying the decision should be left up to consumers and business owners.

''It's pretty soon going to be legislated to death, and pretty soon we won't need to think because the government will think for us,'' Mr. Trotter said.
...
''I don't think it's really something that the city should be choosing for everyone,'' said Stephanie Izard, chef and owner of Scylla, one of at least 16 Chicago restaurants that serve foie gras. ''Lezlie Keebler, a managing partner at Chestnut Grill and Wine Bar, said she would prefer not to sell it but does because it is popular. ''I tell my chefs, you have to serve things people want to eat, not things you want them to eat,'' Ms. Keebler said. Some foie gras defenders argue that regulation is a slippery slope. ''Government should not regulate how a farmer produces something,'' said John Hawkins, news service director for the Illinois Farm Bureau, which opposed the state legislation. ''It would set a precedent.''
...
Colleen McShane, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said the group planned to speak against the ban at the next City Hall hearing, which could be held as early as next month. ''The government should not be telling us what to put on our menus unless it's a health issue,'' Ms. McShane said.

As for Lezlie Keebler's comment (bolded above) I go to restaurants to have chef's tell me what they want me to eat all the time. I go back when I appreciate their ideas and suggestions. If the government doesn't decide and the chefs don't decide and it's up to the consumer at the white tablecloth restaurant isn't the compliance of the Chef a tacit form of approval? It must be – according to Charlie Trotter.

Comments

[Marcus Henley]

Foie Gras Battle For Real

On October 27th, as reported in the “Chicago Tribune”, Alderman Joe Moore responded to the vandalism at Chef Didier Durand’s restaurant following the chef’s testimony in support of foie gras production before the City Council Health Committee:

Ald. Joe Moore (49th), who introduced the foie gras ban, said he was shocked by the vandalism at the cafe. "Obviously we don't know who did it, but if it was related to this issue, it would be a very, very extreme element," he said. "We want to end one form of violence so I'm very sorry it happened."

Sorry Alderman Moore. You expect us to believe you don’t know who your anti-foie gras friends are?

Bryan Pease presented a film at the committee hearing taken during break-ins at the three foie gras farms in the US. While even opponents of foie gras admit that the film is a PR device unlikely to represent actual conditions (http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2005/02/tastings/), the film was well received by the Health Committee. The web site www.stopforcefeeding.com, indicates the film includes new US footage. New York State Police are especially interested in that new footage presented by Alderman Moore’s entourage, which shows images of the interior of LaBelle Farms. On October 16th, the week before the committee hearing, the processing plant and associated buildings and vehicles at LaBelle Farms burned to the ground.

Police interest stems especially from the presentation of the film by Mr. Pease. Mr. Pease was first arrested at age 16, in 1994, in Syracuse, NY. His activist biography and a sketch of his arrest record are attached or can be viewed at: http://www.activistcash.com/biography.cfm/bid/3247.

While Mr. Pease was not charged with these actions (no one was caught), Syracuse in the mid-90’s saw the fire bombing of delivery trucks at G&L Davis Meat Company, extreme damage to the Plainville Turkey Farm Restaurant on I-81 and numerous other incidents of vandalism against meat processors and butcher shops.

Mr. Pease admits to breaking into the California foie gras producer’s farm. He does not admit participating in the accompanying extreme vandalism at an associated retail establishment offering foie gras (http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2003/08/15/news/topstories/news01.txt) and the threats made to a chef/associate of the foie gras producer that included videos of the chef’s wife and his two-year-old son and a note saying, “Stop or you will be stopped.”

During the investigation by the New York State Police concerning earlier break-ins at Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York, investigators indicated that no one had been charged in the California crimes, but one individual thought to have also participated was a fugitive with an outstanding warrant for arson. The film shown by Mr. Pease clearly shows that LaBelle was the subject of a break-in. Two of the group that entered Hudson Valley Foie Gras have been convicted of Criminal Trespassing and are not currently suspected of the LaBelle break-in. The possible participation in the California break-in by an individual sought on arson charges, the fact that Mr. Pease proved that LaBelle had been illegally entered, coupled with a large fire of unknown origin at LaBelle has the interest of investigators.

Mr. Pease is also an advocate of SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) and has participated in SHAC protests. The day after the Chicago committee hearing, the US Senate held a hearing where Senators and law enforcement officials were told by activist Jerry Vlasik that it was acceptable to kill officials and researchers of companies involved in using animals for medical research, “a morally justifiable solution to the problem”. Senators were outraged and vowed to implement legislation to strike at SHAC and similar groups. Listen: http://consumerfreedom.com/downloads/reference/audio/051026_vlasakSenate.mp3.

From Satya Magazine (http://www.satyamag.com/apr04/best.html):

“...actions against foie gras chefs and restaurants, dramatic sabotage and direct action methods often get positive press coverage that reform campaigns do not generate. “

Violence is part of the playbook for the animal activist movement. Alderman Moore has joined the front ranks of a rough crowd.

[josh]

For the record Marcus Henley is the Director of Operations of Hudson Valley Foie Gras.

Given that the initial post was about opinions and thoughts regarding Foie Gras Mr. Henley's response regarding violence is unreasonable. Vandalism is not what we're talking about and discounting reasonable opinion by distracting with the unreasonable behavior of others is not a valid arguement.
Tasty vs. Cruel

Lots of things are tasty. Not everything is cruel.

[Bryan Pease]

At the Chicago hearing, Marcus Henley admitted that the images shown on the video were from his farm, but claimed they don't show the "whole picture." (You can view the video at www.stopforcefeeding.com). He also claimed, to the dismay of the aldermen, that the ducks being force fed in the video were not showing "aversive behavior." When I say dismay, I mean that the chair of the committee literally scolded him. He lost all credibility with the committee, which unanimously voted to outlaw foie gras. Now Henley, who tortures little defenseless animals for a living, has resorted to attacking his accusers on the Internet with vague and unsubstantiated accusations and innuendo. Are you looking for a lawsuit too, Henley?

I should also note, given the forum, that a number of chefs in Chicago have supported the ban, and some testified at the hearing. One of the two chefs who testified against the ban ended up waffling and finally said she couldn't make up her mind.

In San Diego, where I live, nearly every restaurant has removed foie gras.

Regards,
Bryan Pease, Esq.
3707 5th Ave. #404
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 723-0369
www.bryanpease.com

[Aran]

The above article, posted in the comments, has links to Centre for Consumer Freedom pages. The CCF are industry funded; people can read more about them here

http://www.consumerdeception.com/

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Center_for_Consumer_Freedom

While there is a lot of talk about choice, unfortunately the birds, who are force fed don’t have a choice. Abuse is everyone’s business, it shouldn’t be a matter of personal choice.