„The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

Why do I have mixed feelings about the production of foie gras in Hungary? First and foremost, I feel sorry for the animals. As far as I know, all countries involved int he production of fat liver follow the same method, therefore all duks and geese are bound to udergo the same old process of force feeding. As a result of the international campaign of a Vienna-based animal rights group (Four Pawn) Hungary’s largest-capacity poultry processor (Hungerit) had to stop its slaughters in September and announced their plan to lay off 200 workers. Four Pawn blacklisted the products exported by Hungerit and some multi-national supermarket chains joined them in their battle for animal rights. The international reputation of Hungary’s poultry processing industry has suffered a major blow and the consequent financial loss is significant – not to mention that hundreds of families -employees and suppliers- have lost their only source of living. France recognized the potential risks that lie beneath the strengthening of groups like Four Pawn and the growing refusal concerning the controversial feeding process: Foie gras has been declared part of France's heritage and is now under cultural protection.