There’s nothing “yummy” about foie gras production

It was interesting to learn that Jonathan Ammons’ commentary, “Foie Gras Ban a Waste of Energy,” was a top-read Xpress Opinion piece of 2012 [“2012's Greatest Hits,” Dec. 26]. I’d like to think it was popular because readers found it an amusing case of someone trying to defend the indefensible. [To read the piece, visit http://avl.mx/jk.]

Mr. Ammons suggested that animal activists work to ban factory farming, not foie gras production. Can’t he recognize that the savage atrocities inflicted upon ducks and geese in making this cruel delicacy are a particularly vile form of factory farming? How else would you characterize shoving long metal pipes down the throats of birds several times a day, while mechanized pumps shoot enormous amounts of food into their gullets? This is done to make their livers grow up to 10 times normal size.

If the metal pipes don’t cause internal injuries, their enlarged, diseased livers pushing against other organs often do, making standing and breathing difficult. Sound yummy? Think about that the next time you admire geese flying overhead or feed ducks at the lake. For those who want to know more about the horrors of industrialized animal agriculture, I suggest they visit www.farmsanctuary.org and select “learn.” A short video about foie gras production can be found on YouTube, search “Roger Moore foie gras.”

Foie gras may be an extreme example, but all farmed animals, whether raised in pastures or cramped cages, suffer before their senseless slaughter. The more society learns about how our fellow earthlings are treated, and the many reasons that eating animal products are harmful to our bodies and our planet, the more we’ll see a shift to vegan diets. It can’t come too soon for the millions of animals enslaved and murdered every day in America.

I wish Mr. Ammons and others, attempting to justify torturing and killing animals, would simply state that they don’t believe animals are deserving of consideration. I would appreciate such honesty. I hope those who do consider animals worthy of respect will ponder the words of Albert Schweitzer: "Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight."

— Stewart David
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “There’s nothing “yummy” about foie gras production

  1. mountaingal

    Whole Foods stopped selling foie gras over a decade ago. It’s production is wholly indefensible.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.