This is bad news for producers and lovers of foie gras. The New York City Council voted Wednesday, October 30 for its ban in the city.
Forty-two councilors voted in favor of its ban, and six against. The law, which provides "The ban on the sale and storage of certain poultry products including birds from force-feeding", will only come into effect in 2022 and provides fines of $ 500 to $ 2,000 for offenders. "I am satisfied that the municipal council wishes to put an end to inhuman and cruel practices, with suffering animals ", reacted Carlina Rivera, elected Democrat of South Manhattan at the origin of this bill. "150 years after the first animal welfare law, New York must continue to set an example by becoming the most humane city".
The ban is also good news for animal rights groups like "Voters for Animals Rights". Sixty activists, wearing t-shirts with the message "We must forbid foie gras, a cruel product"Had met at nine o'clock in the morning in front of the City Hall to give voice. Among them Hervé Breuil, director of an animal shelter in Woodstock. "It's the reward of years of work"Says the Frenchman who tries to convince the elected for several years. "It is hoped that this ban in New York will serve as an example around the world".
The measure comes just months after its ban in California, which forced the only producing farm to go out of business. In New York, 400 jobs are threatened. "They have an amendment three years before the ban, which allows employees to find a job, and producers can diversify their activities by choosing a more respectful of animals and nature", believes Hervé Breuil.
Ariane Daguin, CEO of D'Artagnan who produces and sells foie gras in the United States, said Monday that the ban on foie gras in New York would be "A political decision". "They wanted to erect foie gras as an example because they knew they would get more votes by leaning towards vegetarians."
