Sponsored by
Foie gras is banned by Eastbourne council
FOIE gras has been banned on council property and land in Eastbourne.
The council banned the sale and availability of the controversial French delicacy after a petition from concerned residents when it was seen on sale at a French summer market in Eastbourne last year.
Foie gras is produced from the liver of a duck or goose that has been force fed, causing the liver of the bird to swell up to ten times its normal size. A pipe is inserted down the throat of the bird and pulped maize pumped into their stomach, sometimes resulting in severe injury or death.
Eastbourne Borough Council now joins a number of authorities including York, Bolton, Stockport and Norwich, in banning the product on its property.
The ban was finalised on Wednesday night and traders from France planning to travel to Eastbourne for the regular French markets have already been warned.
Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said on Wednesday, "There is little argument that restraining an animal and force feeding it unnatural quantities of food, until the liver is grotesquely enlarged, is very cruel.
"It is of course for individual consumers to decide if they wish to continue purchasing foie gras through other outlets, but I'm pleased we have taken this step."
The council resolution has received cross-party support from opposition councillors.
Leader of the opposition, Conservative councillor David Elkin, said, "The production of foie gras is a particularly unpleasant process that causes significant and unnecessary suffering to ducks and geese.
"I am happy to support the cabinet decision and encourage residents that eat foie gras to reflect on how it is produced."
• Take part in our vote: Should the sale of foie gras have been banned in Eastbourne? Click HERE to vote.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
