"
Neither call for a boycott, nor measure of prohibition
": the mayor EELV of Lyon Grégory Doucet wished on Sunday to cut short the recent controversy on the banning of foie gras in municipal receptions.
In a column published by
Le Journal du Dimanche
, the councilor said "to
measure and share what this festive period represents for producers, restaurateurs and residents
", ensuring that "
no reproach is made to the composition of menus of both sides
”.
To read also When animalists want to hide the foie gras
“
A good table goes through good products.
Their total freedom is not debated
”, but“
the issue of public procurement should not be confused with that of festive meals, in the home as in the restaurant,
”he insists.
"See the emergence of other models than that of industrial agriculture"
Going almost unnoticed in September 2020, the decision of the majority ecologist in Lyon to ban foie gras from receptions raised a stir this week after being greeted by the animal rights organization Peta after an investigation into the policy of town halls vis-à-vis this traditional gastronomic specialty.
And when the town hall indicated Monday to the monthly
Lyon Capitale
that it would like to "
broaden the dialogue around these questions, so that its initiative can be followed in restaurants
", many producers and chefs saw it as a call for a boycott.
Read alsoCan environmental mayors ban foie gras from their receptions?
"
This is neither a call for a boycott, nor a prohibition measure
", indicated Mr. Doucet, wishing "to
see the emergence of other models than that of industrial agriculture and intensive breeding, commoditization or the intensification of chain-feeding of geese
”. The mayor elected in 2020 says he wants to "
promote local productions, which take into account the issue of animal welfare, fair remuneration for producers, low ecological impact (and) respect for the land
". “
The choices made by the communities contribute to the evolution of practices, and that's a good thing!
», He concluded.
In addition to Lyon, the ecological town halls of Strasbourg - since July 2020 - and Grenoble - since 2014 - have also banned foie gras from their ceremonies and events.
The socialist mayor of Villeurbanne, near Lyon, took a similar step in May 2021.
