“No Glamour in Foie Gras”, says French fashion designer Lolita Lempicka

New investigation launched in the land of Duck and Goose Liver

A famous French fashion designer and perfume creator has joined ranks with the French animal rights organization L214 in its fight against the French delicacy called ‘foie gras’ (literally ‘fatty liver’.)

In a brand new investigation video, Lolita Lempicka explains why she refuses to buy foie gras: “There’s a huge disconnect with the image of foie gras—the holiday celebrations, partying, champagne with friends, tasting something we see as delicious. But this so-called treat is all about suffering. The reality is this: we sacrifice animals who don’t deserve this. It’s considered a glamorous food. But there’s no glamour in foie gras; there’s just horror.”

Lempicka is urging the public to view the new video footage L214 released today. The footage was filmed in November 2014 in three farms located in the renowned gastronomic area known as the Perigord Noir. Far from large industrial factory farms, these small producers sell directly to the public and in local markets. And yet the footage underscores the violence of force-feeding: we see one farmer curse a goose who puts up a fight against being force-fed. Animals are also restrained in a small cages that are the standard in large-scale industrial practices.

→ See the video

→ Use pictures of this investigation

These images follow on the heels of another recent undercover investigation that took place in a large-scale factory farm that boasts the EU scheme IGP Perigord (PGI - protected geographical indication). This farm has held a contract to sell foie gras to the provider of the Elysee Palace, the home of the French president Mr. Francois Hollande.

→ Investigation of IGP (PGI) Perigord

→ Use pictures of this investigation

Press contats (photos and vidéos available) :
Brigitte Gothière : 0033 (0)6 20 03 32 66
Johanne Mielcarek : 0032 (0)493 428 172

Previous investigations in France

Since 2004 the French association L214 has crisscrossed France to investigate the practices used in producing foie gras. Foie gras labelled IGP Sud-Ouest, IGP Perigord, Foie gras from Brittany and from the Vendee, as well as companies distributing foie gras served in France’s great restaurants, all involve force-feeding and suffering for millions of animals each year. In 2013, 37 million ducks and hundreds of thousands of geese were force-fed and killed for foie gras in France.
Last year video footage released by L214 inspired the famous French chef Joel Robuchon and the acclaimed chef and British restaurateur Gordon Ramsay to cancel their orders of foie gras from their usual supplier.

→ Videos of previous investigations

International Backlash

2014 saw an increase in the growing, worldwide chorus of criticism against foie gras.

• Major labels like H&M, North Face, and Helly Hansendeclared they would not use feathers and down obtained from force-fed animals in manufacturing their quilted jackets.
• Danish and Norwegians supermarkets have called a halt to selling foie gras in their stores.
• Foie Gras can no longer be found on the shelves of the Japanese Family Mart stores.
• India has has forbidden the import of foie gras within its borders.
• The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ban on the sale of foie gras in the state of California..

Foie Gras Sales Drop in France

In terms of volume, 2013 saw a dip of 3% in the general consumption of foie gras in France, while the purchase of foie gras fell in private households by 5.6%. This consumption of foie gras marks a drop for the third consecutive year. Export of foie gras has experienced a similar losses.

→ Read more about sales drop (FR)

Contact presse (demande photos et vidéo) :
Brigitte Gothière : 0033 (0)6 20 03 32 66
Johanne Mielcarek : 0032 (0)493 428 172