Charcuterie-haters PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) released a statement today regarding the federal ruling on California's ornamental foie-gras ban. In a written statement, PETA peta'd:
"The greedy producers and gluttonous restaurateurs who have been having temper tantrums over California's foie gras ban were dealt a blow today when the federal court upheld California's ban on cruelly produced goose or duck liver. Investigations at every foie gras farm in the United States and throughout Europe have shown sick, dead, and dying animals—some with holes in their necks from having a pipe rammed down their throats during force-feeding. California stands with 15 countries that have banned foie gras production, including the U.K., Germany, Australia, and Israel, and PETA trusts that states across the U.S. will follow California's lead."
U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson issued a ruling at a hearing today in federal court saying that foie gras producers fighting the law "hadn’t met their burden of showing that they were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims or that they were likely to suffer irreparable harm absent a temporary restraining order." Wilson did, however, allow the lawsuit to proceed.
Meanwhile, those going malnourished due to a lack of regular foie gras feedings have taken solace at Presidio Social Club in San Francisco. The restaurant's owners say the state ban does not apply to them since they are located on federal land. The noted eatery rereleased foie gras on their menu on Saturday, which, among other fattened liver treats, included their new foie gras slider.
