New York votes to ban foie gras

The controversial foodstuff has been subject to criticism in the United States over complaints that the force-feeding of ducks and geese to engorge their livers is cruel.

Force feeding is an inhumane practice, plain and simple.” – Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, a Manhattan Democrat.

“Hundreds of veterinarians testified or submitted testimony acknowledging this fact at our hearing on the bill, with the only veterinarian claiming that foie gras was humane turning out to be a paid consultant for foie gras producers,” Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, a Manhattan Democrat, told Bloomberg.

But some moved to defend the product. The Catskill Foie Gras Collective, a group comprising 2 farming businesses that supply New York, said jobs could be lost as a result of the ban. It also maintained that it felt foie gras production was humane.

In a statement the collective said: “The collective has sought out to educate consumers, the New York City Council, and members of the media on the humane farming practices as well as the detrimental effects a ban would have for hundreds of families in New York state.”

Those who try to flout the ban will face a civic penalty of up to $2,000.