Talk of Foie Gras Ban Galls Me

The State of Confusion California, has a ban on foie gras set to become law on July 1st of this year.  Restaurants currently selling foie gras will have had 7 years to find an alternative menu item.  There has been a lot of talk about the subject and where there is talk there is inevitably misinformation.  Regardless what your initial feeling is about foie gras, take a couple of minutes and see for yourself here, here, here and here, whether you think the practice is cruel or not.

All animals that are raised by humans as food will inevitably die, that is just a simple fact.  We are obliged to provide those animals, I believe, with as respectful and stress free an existence as possible.  Respect includes reducing the waste from those animals by using every edible portion of each animal we kill and finding uses for the inedible portions where possible.   I personally feel that the duck farmers that produce foie gras have, are and will continue to do just that.  I don't like liver and giblets, sweet breads and organs, but I do like foie gras and I see its production as nothing more than taking advantage of the duck's genetic trait.  For me there is no ethical issue.  I have more concern for the treatment of cattle, pork and chicken on most farms.  And, if you have ever witnessed animals at an abattoir you would realize the last moments of their lives are not so comfortable, either.  Add to that the treatment of chickens in the entire production process and you can certainly find far more deserving sectors of agriculture for a ban.

But, maybe you are not convinced by the links and you still think that foie gras is not ethical for you.  That's fine: convince me.  Define what is ethical.  If you are a vegan, congratulations, but let me remind you that agricultural practices of humans are the single biggest contributor to global warming, desertification, loss of top soil and water shortages; not to mention damage to ecosystems from over use of synthetic AND organic fertilizers and reduction of habitat for wild species.  None of which, in my opinion, is very ethical on face value.  But, you believe your life style is doing some good and this allows you to sleep better.  Fair enough.  And, I respect that.

The State of California did pass a law banning the shark fin trade, that I happen to agree with.  "Oh, hold on Dennis," I hear you cry!  "What hypocrisy is this?"  well, the difference is that shark finning is having an ecological impact that goes beyond whether or not I think it is ethical to eat shark (for the record I would be ok with farmed shark where no threat of extinction exists).  My guide for all matters seafood is the Seafood Watch program from Monterey Bay Aquarium.  There are some alternatives suggested by Seafood Watch, but unfortunately, the really prized fins come from the more endangered species and are usually harvested in the most wasteful manner using only the fins.  That is why I am opposed.  I respect the culture that wants to keep this traditional item in its cuisine, though I would respect it more if it found a  more sustainable, respectful and humane way to do so.

But, regardless of whether I agree with you or not, there are some limits to what I am prepared to do to convince you, or others, of my stance.  One limit is to avoid criminal behaviour including publishing your personal details on line for the world to see.  Or, having my supporters contact you to harass or threaten you.  But, mostly, I will respect the privacy of your family and especially your children.  Some in the California legislature are less principled.