2008-05-14 23:55:00 -

- Farm Sanctuary Tricia Barry, 607-583-2225 ext. 233 tricia@farmsanctuary.org Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, today issued a statement on the Chicago City Council's decision to repeal the ordinance that banned foie gras in 2006. Since that time, the Illinois Restaurant Association, led by Mayor Daley's former chief of staff, has relentlessly politicized this popular

humane measure, filing a lawsuit to overturn the ban in 2007, which they lost, then appealing to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in June 2007. Oral argument in this appeal was scheduled for Tuesday, May 27. Thomas Tunney, who today proposed the repeal, is the former head of the Illinois Restaurant Association and owner of Ann Sather restaurants.

Julie Janovsky, Farm Sanctuary's director of campaigns issued the following statement: "Farm Sanctuary is disheartened by the results of today's Chicago City Council vote to overturn a humane measure backed by massive popular support. By repealing the foie gras ordinance, the City Council has effectively endorsed animal cruelty. When the foie gras ban originally passed by a landslide vote, Chicagoans were proud to live in a city that took a stand for humanity. To reverse a compassionate and admirable decision under pressure from political bullies and special interests shows a cowardly brand of cynicism unlike any we have seen in our efforts to give voice to the most vulnerable beings in our society - animals raised for food. By turning their backs on progress, the members of the City Council who voted for this repeal, the Mayor and the Illinois Restaurant Association jeopardized the chance for real change in our government, and disregarded society's plea for compassion, integrity and justice."

Foie gras (translated from French as "fatty liver") is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese two or three times each day through a pipe shoved down their throats. The force-feeding can cause painful bruising, lacerations, sores, and even organ rupture. Due to this unhealthy and unnatural diet, the birds' livers become diseased and swell up to 10 times their normal size, making it difficult for the birds to walk or even breathe. More information about foie gras can be found at www.nofoiegras.org.

Facts:

-- More than 15 countries have banned the sale and or production of foie gras due to the cruel process of producing it.

-- Veterinarians and other animal experts, along with religious leaders (including the Pope), businesses, (including Wolfgang Puck), and legal scholars, have called for an end to the cruelty of foie gras.

-- A Zogby poll conducted in September 2005 revealed 79 percent of likely voters in Illinois agree that foie gras production should be outlawed.

-- The Pew Trust recently released a two and a half year study by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production which concluded that force feeding birds to produce foie gras should be banned based on animal welfare concerns.

-- 217 restaurants in Illinois, including 84 in Chicago have signed pledges not to serve foie gras.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

Devastating Decision to Defy Popular Sentiment and Allow the Sale
of this Notoriously Cruel Product Comes in Advance of Legal Case that
Could Have Protected the Ban