"At a time when the detractors of foie gras multiply, let us be proud of our gastronomic identity and of our products", wrote Monday in a "manifesto" 56 elected officials among which Jean-Pierre Cubertafon, Modem deputy of Dordogne, and the president of the Dordogne Departmental Council Germinal Peiro.
"The political opportunism of a few must not endanger the whole of a sector of excellence, especially at such a decisive period for this sector", add the signatories.
Passed almost unnoticed in September 2020 decision of the Lyon ecologist majority to ban foie gras canapes reacted since she was welcomed Tuesday by organizing advocacy Peta animals.
Beyond Lyons and others like Strasbourg - since July 2020 - and Grenoble - since 2014 - also banned foie gras from their ceremonies and events.
The Socialist mayor of Villeurbanne took a similar measure in May 2021.
These decisions raise the "dismay" at the Perigord foie gras advocates elected who blame these mayors to rely "on an outdated and distorted view" of the production of foie gras.
"No offense to some, the vast majority of foie gras is produced yet on French territory within ethical farms, small and respecting stringent quality standards", they argue.
"We strongly condemn the excesses of industrial breeding which leads to the production of foie gras of deplorable quality under atrocious conditions", they still write.
Asked Sunday on BFM-TV, the mayor of Pau Bayrou defended a sector of "excellence" in ensuring "gavage today has nothing to do with feeding yesterday. I can assure you today that gavage is sweet. It was not once. "
© 2021 AFP