No More Foie Gras in New York City
“If it’s possible to make it here, it can be done anywhere.”
Scratch that.
Foie gras can now be made anywhere. But New York City
That’s because the NYC City Council overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday in favor of banning the sale of the (delicious, admittedly) delicacy, considered by many to be the pinnacle of French haute cuisine.
Remind me what Foie Gras is?
Foie gras means “fatty liver” in French. It is the fatty liver of a duck or goose.
Ducks and geese are able to quickly eat large quantities of food in preparation for migration, without having to go too deep. After a time of eating well, farmers use a funnel (also known as a funnel). gavageTo force-feed birds large amounts of fatty food for a set period of time.
The fat from the feed causes the bird’s liver to enlarge and take on its signature buttery taste, which many people love, but which has also drawn the scorn of animal rights activists for decades.
Businesses in Crisis
Foie gras producers are unhappy that the new law won’t be in effect for three more years. They argue that New York City restaurants/shops make up so much of their sales, that it could threaten them.
However, the Supreme Court has already taken up this issue. That is, justices refused to weigh in earlier this year in an effort to overturn California’s foie gras ban, in place since 2012.
More Animal Cruelty laws passed
The foie gras ban wasn’t the only piece of animal cruelty that the council looked into this week.
The iconic horse-drawn carriage rides will now come to a halt if the temperature hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They will also stop if it reaches 80°F or higher and the humidity is above a certain level.
Another bill passed by the council makes it a misdemeanor to trap pigeons and take them out of state to be used in bird hunts.
Although the new laws are expected to make New York City animals happier, they also present headaches for business owners. It will be challenging to keep up with these new regulations and to retool business plans. There are many attorneys in the area who can assist.
