Foie Gras War: Maryland Withdraws Foie Gras Bill

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Good sense prevails in Maryland at least, where a ban on the sale and transport of foie gras has been defeated. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Joan Carter Conway(D-43, Baltimore City) and Delegate Tanya T. Shewell (R-5A, Carroll County), would have banned the production, transport and sale of foie gras in Maryland. There are no foie gras farms in Maryland. At a hearing on March 4, 2008, Maryland chefs rallied against the ban along with the Maryland Restaurant Association, the Maryland Retailers Association, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The chefs included: Chef Cindy Wolf, Sergio Vitale, Chef Michael Gettier, Chef Dan Wecker, Chef Erik Rochard, Chef Brian Bosten, Chef John Carter, Chef John Walsh, Francesco Mara, and Chef Steven Miller Melvin Thompson, vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) issued this statement about the win: This is a critical win for restaurants because banning foie gras would have set a precedent for banning other menu items for ethical reasons. The activists who protest the serving of foie gras have also protested poultry at fried chicken chains and veal served at many Italian restaurants. Banning foie gras was only the beginning. Super Chef applauds Maryland's courageous chefs and wise legislators. Let's hope other states will follow their example and put their efforts into ensuring safe farm practices in their own states. The RAM's press release points out: Those who disagree with foie gras production methods are free to avoid eating foie gras and to avoid patronizing restaurants that serve it. Both of these rights can be exercised without infringing upon the rights of other consumers. Eat sensibly and be free. Press releases: Restaurant Association of Restaurants [PDF format] Previous articles: No Foie Gras for Prince Charles Foie Gras Wars: Nears Washington [Foie Gras War - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, foie gras --> back to Super Chef