The City Council has voted to make Chicago the first city in the United States to outlaw the sale of foie gras, the fatty livers of geese and ducks that many consider a delicacy but that animal rights advocates describe as a product of inhumane treatment.

The ban, adopted Wednesday on a vote of 48 to 1, makes "food dispensing establishments" – restaurants and retail stores – subject to a fine of $500 for selling foie gras. The ordinance, which takes effect in 90 days, will be enforced by means of citizen complaints, said Joe Moore, the alderman who sponsored it.

Many in the restaurant industry said the ban would have little effect on business, but they condemned it as an unwarranted intrusion by city officials.

"Government shouldn't be dictating what we eat," said Rick Tramonto, executive chef at a French restaurant, Tru. "It's just not right."

… Mayor Richard Daley was not enthusiastic.

"We have children getting killed by gang leaders and dope dealers," Daley said in an interview with The Chicago Sun-Times. "We have real issues here in this city. And we're dealing with foie gras? Let's get some priorities."

From Ric in Paris –

"… Mayor Richard Daley was not enthusiastic.

"We have children getting killed by gang leaders and dope dealers," Daley said in an interview with The Chicago Sun-Times. 'We have real issues here in this city. And we're dealing with foie gras? Let's get some priorities.'"

Chicagoans Can Eat Foie Gras In Paris

PARIS, Saturday, April 29 – A response from the Parisian Ministry of Touristic Relations – Ministère Parisien des Réactions Touristiques*- was made in haste last night: 'Let All Chicagoans Eat Foie Gras In Paris!'

Foreign reaction spokesman Marie-Alligote Mendes-Poisson today urged all citizens of Chicago to skip local substitutes such as canned Spam and 'Canadian' bacon, and render themselves to Paris where authentic foie gras is readily available, in three basic varieties – duck, goose and canard – 'but not cheap,' she added, wistfully.

Ms Mendes-Poisson exclaimed, "All foie gras not exported is available in restaurants, markets, fast-food joints and street kiosks, to all except enfants under 18 unaccompanied by adults!"

Meanwhile food professionals at Rungis announced that foie gras returned on account of the California boycott is now available in quantity for the Parisian market at greatly reduced prices, and expired versions can be purchased via the Internet.

Other industry professionals called for a boycott of Chicago while their counterparts at Air France continued to assert that Chicago was still worth a visit even if Spam is substituted for foie gras at major fine restaurants and coffee shops.

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* A search of major sources - http://www.exalead.com/ - failed to locate any mention of the existence of a 'Ministère Parisien des Réactions Touristiques' but this doesn't mean it shouldn't exist. EXALEAD - new search engine launched in France to compete with Google - motto: 'We have a better idea!' - from France-2 TV-news)