Undercover Activists Rescue Ducks From Foie Gras Farms in CA and NY

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Feb 03, 2012, 12:20 ET

FARMINGTON, Calif. and FERNDALE, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Activists from the Animal Protection and Rescue League have once again penetrated security at the two main factory farms that force feed ducks in the U.S. to make the gourmet appetizer "foie gras," or fattened liver.

The activists took video of conditions and rescued several ducks in both California and New York. "Hot in Cleveland" actress Wendie Malick narrated a video of the animal cruelty investigations, which is now posted at www.StopForceFeeding.com.

"These young activists took great personal risk to expose cruel conditions at these factory farms," states Bryan Pease, an attorney for the group. "Activists who previously rescued ducks from these same locations were charged with felony burglary."

Some of the video obtained includes footage from hidden cameras the activists installed to capture the actual force feeding process. Hudson Valley Foie Gras repeatedly claims their ducks do not try to escape the force feeding, but the undercover footage shows them huddling in the corner of their pens as a worker grabs them by the wings and shoves a large metal pipe down their throats.

In order to make their livers over 10 times their normal size and almost entirely fat, foie gras producers force feed the ducks massive quantities of food three times per day for almost a month. Many ducks do not survive the process, and the activists found trash barrels filled with dead ducks in both factory farms.

The animal cruelty investigation mirrors conditions found in 2002-2004 when APRL previously exposed the force feeding industry. A California statewide ban on sale and production of foie gras takes effect this July. Some chefs opposed to the ban have been claiming the ducks "go to the feeders." An investigative reporter recently confronted a chef who claimed this, and the chef was unable to back up this statement with any evidence:

http://iteamblog.abc7news.com/2012/02/ducks-want-to-be-force-fed.html

According to APRL, less than a tenth of a percent of all restaurants in the U.S. serve foie gras. Over 100 restaurants in California have removed the item without waiting for the ban to take effect, and only about 300 restaurants in the state are still serving it. The cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, West Hollywood, Berkeley, Carlsbad and Solana Beach have all passed resolutions in support of the statewide ban.

More info is online at www.StopForceFeeding.com.

SOURCE Animal Protection & Rescue League