APPEALS COURT REVIVES CALIFORNIA BAN ON FOIE GRAS

A federal appeals court has revived a California state law banning the sale of foie gras made from force-fed birds. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a January 2015 lower court ruling striking down the law, saying the judge erred in concluding that the ban conflicted with a federal law governing the production of poultry products. Friday’s 3- 0 decision by the Pasadena-based appeals court is a victory for animal rights advocates opposed to forcefeeding. The decision is also a defeat for chefs who say they enjoy preparing foie gras, while luxury-minded diners enjoy eating it. Prized by gourmands for its rich flavours, foie gras is the liver of specially fattened ducks or geese, and often used to make pate. The law had been challenged by a group of Canadian duck and geese producers, among others.