Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has dumped his supplier of foie gras after the Mirror obtained shocking undercover film footage. The videos show ducks caked in filth and vomit from overfeeding. Some of the birds were writhing in agony from damaged throats and bloodied feet. Campaigners described the conditions and treatment of the ducks as “torture”. Experienced vet Amir Kashiv called the film footage a “representation of hell”. The production of the controversial delicacy involves the helpless birds being force-fed by having metal pipes inserted into their throats. They are fattened up in this way so their livers are up to 10 times their normal size. Heston thanked the Mirror for bringing the footage to his attention. He said he has immediately stopped using the supplier. Justin Kerswell, campaigns manager of animal charity Viva!, said: “These images of foie gras production are horrendous and some of the worst we have ever seen. “Ducks caged, scared and clearly in distress; birds too exhausted to move. There are no ifs and buts – this is torture.” Foie gras production is classed as so cruel it has been banned in Britain. But imports from other countries are not controlled. The videos show the workings of a farm run by Maison Mitteault, a family-owned supplier which proudly boasts its motto as “quality, nothing but quality. Although the ducks have a period of living outside they spend a miserable two weeks before slaughter stuck in a windowless shed being force fed. The footage was filmed over a five-month period in huts on its main farm in Chalandray in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. Many ducks, at least one of which was dead, are covered in feed and vomit. Some peck other birds in cages. Dead ducks lie abandoned on the floors. Some have slit abdomens. One duck was so exhausted it had collapsed and could not lift its head or wings as other ducks stepped over it. The ducks, some confined in cages little bigger than their own bodies, are often seen panting for air. But the majority of birds in the footage are in group cages. Read more and watch video mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/barbaric-footage-foie-gras-duck-4793888
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:12:02 +0000
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