Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Nothing Refined in Eating Liver of a ’Tortured’ Bird

Towson Times
June 5, 2008

Kudos to the Baltimore Animal Rights Coalition for exposing the hidden cruelties behind foie gras production (" Animal activists say 'the duck' stops here," Towson Times, May 14). Compassionate people everywhere agree that there's nothing refined about eating the grossly fattened liver of a tortured bird.

Many experts from around the world have also weighed in on this issue and conclude that the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese for foie gras is cruel and inhumane. A study conducted by the European Union reveals that foie gras production is "detrimental to the welfare of birds." And a report by Belgian veterinarians states that "there is absolutely no doubt that force-feeding subjects [birds] to physiological and behavioral suffering."

Indeed, foie gras production is so cruel that it's been banned in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., Israel, and California. But you don't need take the word of experts to know that shoving pipes down the throats of birds and pumping large quantities of food into their stomachs causes suffering. ­­ You can decide for yourself by visiting www.GourmetCruelty.com

Erica Meier
Executive Director
Compassion Over Killing