Foie gras argument
doesn't include all facts

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Your editorial "Challenging the Food Police" (Aug. 15) notes attacks on foie gras farmers are part of a larger organized attack on all animal agriculture.

The duck farmers producing this artisanal product have been singled out because they are a small group without the resources to defend themselves against the food bullies whose goal is to ban meat consumption altogether.

Foie gras is only the beginning of the extremists' efforts. Their agenda is way outside the mainstream. PETA's Web site shows they are vehemently opposed to eating all meat, poultry, fish, milk and ice cream. Absurdly, they are even opposed to eating honey. They are opposed to medical research involving animals, even to save human lives.

Foie gras farming is humane. That is the conclusion assessed by scientists and veterinarians rather than vegetarian activists. The American Veterinary Medical Association has rejected claims that ducks raised for foie gras are treated inhumanely. The most detailed scientific study was published in the 2004 World Poultry Science Journal which concluded that foie gras is a "non-pathological and non-harmful product." The study found that biological indicators of stress in ducks were "hardly affected" by the feeding.

We support an individual's choice not to eat meat. We stand opposed, however, to efforts to intimidate, litigate or legislate farmers off their farms.

Michael Hacker

Artisan Farmers Alliance

Washington, D.C.

www.artisanfarmers.org