Jul 19, 2008 6:00 pm US/Eastern
Takoma Park Bans Foie Gras
TAKOMA PARK, Md. (AP) ―
Takoma Park officials are taking a stand against duck liver delicacies.
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution recently to oppose production and sale of foie gras, which is French for "fatty liver" and is produced by force-feeding geese and ducks.
The resolution also encourages residents "to avoid supporting this extreme form of animal cruelty."
The move a few weeks ago came at the urging of Bruce Williams, mayor of the Washington suburb sometimes referred to as "the Berkeley of the East."
"We knew some people would say, 'Why are you wasting time doing this?"' Williams said. "It's important to educate folks about the humane treatment of animals."
Animals rights advocates contend that ducks and geese used in foie gras production are treated inhumanely and the dish should be outlawed.
There is no foie gras production in the city or anywhere in Maryland, but gourmands can get it at restaurants and specialty hops.
A proposal in the Maryland legislature earlier this year also sought to ban selling foie gras. But some chefs argued the delicacy was safe and could not be replaced for those who enjoy it. The bill never went beyond a Senate committee.
More than a half-dozen states have considered foie gras bans, but only California has put a ban into law. In addition, more than a dozen countries have banned the production and sale of foie gras, according to the nonprofit group Compassion Over Killing. Chicago banned foie gras two years ago, but repealed the ban in May.
Williams said the Takoma Park council may consider prohibiting stores and eateries within city limits from stocking foie gras.
But he acknowledged it would be hard to prevent residents from buying the duck liver outside the city and eating it in their homes.
Takoma Park, a city of about 18,000 in Montgomery County, has a history of liberal causes. In the 1980s, the city declared itself a nuclear free zone, meaning it can't invest in businesses connected to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. In 2006, the council passed a resolution imploring stores to supply -- and residents to purchase -- only eggs coming from cage-free chickens.
And last year, it unanimously approved a resolution urging Congress to go forward with impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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