“Tom - 24 MILLION ducks endure the pain and misery of Foie Gras production annually in France - just so that disgusting heartless people can eat their battered livers! I think a ducks life is worth more than that, they have feelings to you know!

I refer to my comment on a previous message board:
To those that eat Foie Gras - if you did some research into its production perhaps you would change your mind. The ducks suffer agonising pain to produce this terrible (and very unhealthy) food as metal pipes are forced down their throats for their entire, short, miserable lives (often causing organs to rupture). They are trapped in tiny cages unable to move and without access to enough water to engage in their natural behaviours.

If human beings were treated like this there would be a public outcry! Surely you can look into your hearts and go without Foie Gras for the sake of the animals. The production of Foie Gras is illegal in the UK because it does not comply with our welfare standards - doesn't that tell you some thing?”

“Jon - so according to your own figures well over half of the demonstrators against the local small business in queston are in fact vegans. No surprise there.

As I have already hinted at, your organisation does campaign on issues where we can agree. But because of your methods as well as your seemingly over-arching concern for the care (as you understand it) of certain animals then I'm afraid I could not entertain the notion of joining forces with you. There are other organisations closer to my way of thinking than yours.

Now, it's funny that you mention BNP. I too abhor this organisation, and I'm sure you'll appreciate that even on issues where even BNP looks as if they may have a valid point then neither you nor I would lend them our support. No offence to you or to BAN, but hopefully you may now appreciate why it is that you will not receive my support, even on issues where we are largely in some measure of agreement, such as the relatively unimportant case of a few birds in France.

But I'll certainly take you up on your offer, and look forward to meeting you for a hopefully pleasant and mutually useful discussion.”

“Tom -
Let me clear up a few misconception you seem to be having.
1. Of the 14 people at the last FG demo, at least a third eat eggs milk and cheese, and some in BAN eat meat. As many sensible posters have mentioned - it is perfectly possible to eat meat, but be opposed to the additional cruelty involved in FG production.
2. BAN campaigns on loads of issues. We hold a monthly freeshop where people swap unwanted items, saving people cash, and cutting landfill. We are involved in anti-deportation of asylum seekers campaigns and are activley involved in combating the local spread of the BNP (very successfully!). We have just started talking to pensioners, disbled groups, tennents associations and trades unions groups to launch a campaign against the coming recession, aimed at securing greater subsidies on gas and electric bills, affordable food and housing, and protection employment and benefit rights. We have also been responsible for working with shops around Bath to introduce a greater range of fairtrade and ethical items, and much more.
Not everyone in BAN thinks and feels the same way, and there is no 'party line', we are simply united by a belief that this world can be better, and that we can all be a part of that change.
As you seem so consistenly against everthing we do, I would like the opportunity to talk with you outside of this forum to exchange questions, debate finer points and clear up any misconceptions. I can be contacted at bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk, ask for the message to be forwarded to Jon. Speak soon Tom.”

“KJ - the difference between you and the group in question here is that they would ban not just foie gras, but all meat - and as they seem to be keen vegans, then milk and eggs are sure to follow. I am not prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with these people over a relatively unimportant issue such as foie gras, particularly when I personally find there are somewhat bigger issues in the world worth being concerned about.”

“Tom - interesting, thanks. It would be scary if BAN tried to ban "subsistence meat." However, I really do think that nutritionally irrelevant delicacies that cause an animal pain, really should be banned, there is no reason for them to be produced, and we can tackle BAN if or when they start on food meat, although factory farming is another thing I disagree with . . . sorry . . .”