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Farm Animal Forum Hones Advocates' Skills, Promotes Compassion

Farm Sanctuary's annual event includes a demonstration to educate the public about foie gras

Philadelphia, PA - April 23, 2007 - Farm animal protection issues, advocate strategies and current events will be the focus of Farm Sanctuary’s Sixth Annual Farm Animal Forum held this year in Philadelphia, Pa. Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, holds the annual conference to educate and motivate animal advocates to become more effective voices on behalf of farm animals. The Forum is Sunday, April 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., Philadelphia.

“Now more than ever our society is calling for ways to end suffering and create a healthy and sustainable future for all,” said Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. “The Farm Animal Forum is an excellent chance for citizens and advocates to learn what it takes to build a successful movement based on truth, transparency, compassion and action.”

On Saturday, April 28, animal advocates are invited to participate in a demonstration at an area restaurant to educate the public about foie gras. Recently, legislation has been introduced in Philadelphia to ban the sale of the product. Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers become diseased and up to 10 times larger than normal. Should the birds survive this process, they are slaughtered and their livers are harvested for foie gras.

Sunday’s lineup features exhibits, issues presentations, networking opportunities, book-signings and prominent speakers. In addition to Baur, speakers include: Dr. Jonathan Balcombe, a research scientist with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine; Lawrence Carter-Long, long-time animal and disability rights activist; Dr. Holly Cheever, vice president of the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights and the New York State Humane Association; Susie Coston, director of Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter; Bruce Friedrich, vice president in charge of international grassroots campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); David Wolfson, law professor and partner at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and the author and legal expert behind Beyond the Law: Agribusiness and the Systemic Abuse of Animals Raised for Food or Food Production.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.