Current Press Releases

Governor Schwarzenegger to be Honored for Signing Historic Bill to Ban Foie Gras Cruelty in California

Other States Urged to Follow California's Compassionate Example

West Hollywood, CA - November 10, 2004 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Senate President, John Burton, will be honored for their roles in passing legislation to ban the cruel force-feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras at a legislative victory celebration on Wednesday, November 17th at the House of Blues. Plant-based "faux gras" will be served as a healthy and humane alternative to cruelly produced foie gras.

In the U.S., agricultural practices are specifically excluded from most state anti-cruelty laws. By enacting SB 1520, California became the first and only state to prohibit foie gras cruelty and only the second state to ban any cruel farm animal production method. The only other such measure was enacted in 2002 when Florida voters approved a ballot initiative to outlaw "gestation crates", two foot wide metal enclosures where breeding sows are confined for years.

"We believe that passage of SB 1520 will help lead to legislation in other states to ban cruel foie gras production as well as other farming methods that are repugnant to a majority of citizens," said Senator John Burton, author of SB 1520.

New York State Assembly member, John J. McEneny stated, "In signing this law, Governor Schwarzenegger, as the governor of our nation's largest state, has made a very significant statement against this cruel practice, which should be phased out from a modern and caring society." Assemblyman McEneny has introduced legislation to outlaw foie gras cruelty in New York State.

To produce foie gras, a tube is shoved down the throats of ducks and geese, and massive quantities of food are pumped in, causing the birds' livers to expand up to ten times their normal size. The birds suffer from liver disease and other serious ailments, and many die before reaching slaughter. Animal advocates are now joining forces in an effort to outlaw the practice in the United States, and over four hundred U.S. restaurants have now signed pledges not to serve foie gras. Concerns about animal welfare have led to bans on foie gras production in over a dozen countries in Europe.

SB 1520 was supported by a broad coalition of animal protection groups and sponsored by the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Farm Sanctuary, Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals and Viva!USA. More than a dozen celebrities supported the bill, including Martin Sheen, Sir Paul McCartney, Kim Basinger, Alicia Silverstone and Mary Tyler Moore.

More information is available at www.nofoiegras.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.