Where I stand on foie gras
I don’t differentiate between the cruelty exacted upon geese in preparing their livers for Foie Gras and the commercial farming of animals for food. For me an equal cruelty is the presentation of cellophane-wrapped skinless chicken breasts where the consumer has absolutely no relation to the animal that gave up its life. Thanks to the anti foie gras lobby, those who eat the delicious rich liver should know how it came to be so.
Foie Gras is so costly because its production is limited and rigorous farming practices are upheld to ensure the quality of the end product. When I think about ethics and food, the life and death of a force-fed goose reserved for such a delicacy seems to me to have more respect and value than a battery chicken or worse, a skinless breast.
When it comes to eating ethically, the only ethical thing to do is not to eat any flesh at all.
[07-Jul-08]
Brian Berkman
Brian yes - to me personally, there is no difference between foie gras and lamb or chicken or fish. All these living beings are killed for human consumption.
However, a lot of companies are now looking in to the ethics of factory farming. Again, to me there is no difference between a chicken or a cow that freely roams the land or a battery animal, but a lot of welfarists argue that at least we owe some quality of life to those animals that are eventually killed.
Foie gras on the other hand, there IS no ethical way of producing it. None, nada, zip zero. There IS only one way to produce it and that way is crueler than most human minds can imagine (perhaps you should view some footage of foie gras production?). And this all for the sake of what I believe to be is pretention?
I have some questions for you - how do you feel about ethical eating and consumerism, and would you accept a challenge and an invitation should I, or the rightist movement, pose it to you?
[10-Jul-08]
Brian - you are absolutely right. There is only ONE way to be 100% is not too eat flesh at all.
That would be a grat challenge for you and your readers. Give up meat compeltely for a week - go to the restaurants you critique and look for vegan food and give us feedback.
That could be very interesting.
[10-Jul-08]
Lejane
Brian. There is a saying: There are none so blind as those that cannot see. This sums your stance up completely. Yes, of course, all meat production has an element of cruelty, but there is a difference. Especially when comparing free-range animals who have a relatively decent life until slaughter. Ducks or Geese tortured for Foie Gras go through weeks of torture and agony. There is a huge difference. You cannot have ethical or cruelty-free Foie Gras. Most meat-eaters do not eat Foie Gras for this reason. You are looking for an excuse because you like the taste. I ask you again to go watch the videos of its "production" and please stop promoting this cruelty.
[11-Jul-08]
Wayne Berger
It is shameful that you can't recognise such blatant cruelty. If we must eat animals (which is another topic altogether), at least let them live a relatively "normal" life. And the audacity to propose that the cruelty is acceptable because of
the "intensive farming" and because the diseased liver is a "delicacy" (in your eyes) shocks me. Brian, a VERY deep think is in order for you.
[14-Jul-08]
Animal lover
Yes indeed, i agree that there are similar amounts of brutality involved in the foie gras trade as in other aspects of animal exploitation. All these issues are rooted in our idea of animals as property, which then seemingly allow us to do as we choose with them. (despite almost irrelevant welfare laws). The biggest issue with foie gras is that you are putting geese and ducks through this undoubtedly traumatic experience for the sake of a product that is not good for you, and is completely unnecessary. The pleasure that a person receives is wholly through the suffering of the goose or duck. I am not suggesting that it is right then to consume other animals, but it is so morally outrageous that suffering can be caused with the only purported positive being the temporary pleasure of the palette.
It is fortunately true that many people do ask about other animals and we urge people to boycott the entire animal industry whilst raising awareness of the plight of ducks and geese. It really is possible to cook great vegan food, many people eat food without thinking that there are no animal products involved. It is a shame that more chefs are not more adventurous in this area.
[14-Jul-08]
Brian, you still have not said whether you would accept a challenge and an invitation from the animal welfare/rights community.
[15-Jul-08]
Nikki Botha
Brian, as someone for whom I have always had much respect, I am apalled that you can in any way condone Foie Gras. There are many things human beings have done for their self indulgance, greed, or simply for fashion over the centuries. Wearing fur and the needless killing of these animals is one example, and thank goodness we have seen the light and it is no longer deemed fashionable. The consumption of Foie Gras epitomises our disregard for animals. You talk of respect, yes, one should always have respect for what one chooses to meat, and choose to support supermarkets that buy from farms practising ethical, preferably organic, farming. No matter how delicious it may be, or how much of a revered delicacy it is in France, I think we should all have grown out of such an archaic 'tradition'. I dont understand how anyone can enjoy Foie Gras if they know the torture that Goose has endured. How can we be so selfish? What about compassion? And if we continue to show such disregard what is going to happen to this planet? Surely the time has come to take stock and say no to cruelty to animals, in all its shapes and forms...?
[11-Aug-08]
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