Campaigners step up foie gras protest
Animal rights protesters are planning weekly protests outside restaurants in Bath that continue to serve foie gras.
Members of the Bath Activist Network (BAN) plan to demonstrate outside Bistro Number 5 in Great Pulteney Street and the Pinch restaurant in Margarets Buildings every Friday night.
But both restaurants say the controversial liver dish is no longer on their menus.
Earlier this month, BAN protesters held up posters and voiced their concerns through a megaphone outside Bistro Number 5.
But a spokesman for the restaurant said the dish was already off the menu – ironically because of its popularity.
He said: "We have taken it off because it has sold out. It is very popular with our customers."
The group has also been targeting Pinch which was serving Rump of Lamb a la Bourgeoise accompanied by the delicacy.
Owner Christophe LeCroix said he had been forced to take the dish off the menu because of disruption to his customers.
"Due to the aggressive protests we can no longer offer our customers freedom of choice, which is very sad. I have taken it off for now to avoid trouble but I will put it back on in January," said Mr LeCroix.
"They have been intimidating and we have had to call the police a few times. I don't want these idiots outside upsetting my customers.
"There are more important things to protest about."
Matt Banning, spokesman for BAN, defended the group's actions.
He accused Mr LeCroix of misleading the group about removing foie gras from the menu in the past.
"Police were present during both recent demos, and were happy that no laws were being broken.
"We now have nearly 1,000 signatures on our anti-foie gras petition. We always get huge support from the public, showing that foie gras has no place in a civilised society.
"We apologise for any inconvenience our protests may have caused to local residents and businesses, but feel the ends have ultimately justified the means."
Foie gras is the engorged liver of a duck, force fed through a metal tube directly into its stomach until its liver has swollen to up to ten times its natural size.
Production is banned in the UK.
The Fine Cheese Company and delicatessen Epicerie Gourmande no longer sell the product after being targeted by protestors.
Cavendish restaurant and Hole in the Wall were also persuaded to remove the dish from their menus.
6 Comments
by Steff, Bath
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 5:47PM
“Recently returned from my friends ' farm' in France, and have a nice supply of fois gras at home... and veal mmmmmmmmmm do you know that nearly all are calves are taken to France!!! Wish we had more French behaviour around here, the protesters would be in serious trouble!”
by Pip, Bath
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 12:40PM
“Once again, thanks to the protesters for alerting me to a new restaurant. i will be trying it as a show of solidarity against these bullies.”
by MarkS, Bath
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 11:14AM
“These people are bullies. This is the sort of behaviour you expect from the Taleban or Hitler's Brownshirts. While foie gras is still legal the police should protect those who want to eat it. The aptly named Mr Banning of BAN sounds like an intolerant individual.”
by Pip, Bath
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 10:13AM
“I was under the impression that it was the police's job to ensure that citizens engaging in law abiding activities (which eating foie gras still is) are not harrassed? Protesters are entitled to their opinion and beliefs, but to try and destroy people's livelihoods in this way is shameful.”
by Malcolm Cupis, Bridgeyate
Monday, December 22 2008, 7:14PM
“Let me start this by saying that I don't like foie gras, that I think the way it is made is unpleasant and I wouldn't touch it. However, it is not illegal and other people have a right to enjoy it. This little group of idiots might think they are being a bunch of right-on lefties, what they are actually doing is facist. They are demanding that the world at large bow to their minority view and enforcing this with intimidation. We must not tolerate facist anarchists bullying their pathetic ideals on society. They should be charged with causing a disturbance and moved on by the Police.”
by Thomas, Bath
Monday, December 22 2008, 5:48PM
“As a chef I completely agree that foie gras has no place in a civilised society and it is not something anybody NEEDS to eat. it is cruel and is on my banned list, along with veal.”