990854 Smithsonian Foie Gras Event Killed By PETAAugust 28, 1999Washington - The Smithsonian Institution has smoothed the ruffled feathers of animal activists and celebrities by calling off a discussion and tasting of foie gras, a delicacy made by force-feeding ducks and geese. “The cancellation of this event was overdue” Ingrid Newkirk, president of the 600,000-member People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said. Other groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, also welcomed the decision, saying the production of foie gras, which involves forcing food down the throats of ducks and geese to fatten their livers, is painful to the animals. “Foie gras production is an old and cruel practice,” Newkirk said. “It has no place in an institution like the Smithsonian, except in the history part of the museum.” Smithsonian spokesman David Umansky said the museum had received many calls, “a few of them more than just requests,” urging that the event be dropped from the institution's popular programs about food and French culture. He declined to categorize any of the calls as threats, but said: “Because we were primarily concerned for the well-being of the attendees, we decided to call off the event.” The controversy mushroomed when British actor Sir John Gielgud and U.S. television sitcom star Bea Arthur joined those who complained that the Smithsonian should not allow itself to be associated with the production of foie gras. Umansky said next month's planned program, which had included promotion of the book “Foie Gras ... A Passion” by New York foie gras producer Michael Ginor, was sold out. The 133 people who bought tickets at $25 or $30 apiece will get a refund. But Ginor, owner of Hudson Valley Foie Gras in the Catskill community of Ferndale, NY, said he was extremely disappointed by the Smithsonian's decision. “I am amazed and shocked that an institution like the Smithsonian would surrender to threats and pressures of quasi-terrorist acts from animal rights groups,” he said. Instead of canceling the event, Ginor suggested the Smithsonian should have reinforced security. Newkirk denied that PETA had engaged in any “terrorist” activity, adding that her organization had made no threats against the Smithsonian. Ginor said that foie gras production involved “zero harm and zero pain” for the animals and that it had never been singled out as cruelty to animals by the U.S. government. The cancellation of the Smithsonian foie gras event was the second blow to the French delicacy in Washington in a month. In July, the United States imposed sanctions on imports of foie gras and some other European foods after the EU refused to lift a ban on imports of hormone-treated beef.
|
