Local chefs are crying foul over a bill that would ban foie gras, the fattened liver of duck or geese that some consider a delicacy.

But animal rights activists say it's cruel to force feed the animals by placing a metal tube or pipe into a bird's throat. The practice, they say, should be banned.

Senate Bill 2170 would prohibit the sales and distribution of food products resulting from force-feeding of ducks or geese to enlarge their livers beyond the normal size. Violators could be hit with a $10,000 fine.

The bill last week passed out of the Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee and is headed to the Judiciary Committee for further discussion.

Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly supportive and included letters from international organizations seeking to ban foie gras production.

“;I am appalled that it is even necessary to file a complaint about considering it legal to torture fowl by force-feeding it for the purpose of destroying its liver to make a more exotic appetizing food,”; said Sylvan Schwab of the East Maui Animal Refuge in testimony for the bill. “;Is it not sad enough that you must kill? Must you torture as well to satisfy someone's sick idea of delicacy?”;

“;Foie gras production universally ranks as one of the cruelest forms of animal agriculture,”; said Barbara Steinberg Orlowski in written testimony. “;The ban on foie gras would not affect our economy, as no one would cancel a vacation to Hawaii, if foie gras were not on the menu. In fact, this ban would paint Hawaii as a compassionate state that cares about animals.”;

But some local food enthusiasts say the bill is not necessary. California, which accounts for about half of U.S. foie gras production, has a ban on the method that takes effect in 2012, said Edward T. Morita, a food blogger and former pastry chef.

“;It's a problem that's already being taken care of,”; Morita said. “;Why does Hawaii need a law banning force-fed birds?”;

Morita said he visited a foie gras farm and did not see any cruel treatment. “;Ducks and geese don't have a gag reflex, so it doesn't bother them at all,”; Morita said.

New York State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, sponsored a 2007 bill in that state to ban foie gras farming, but changed his mind after visiting a farm and speaking with veterinarians, according to a letter from Benjamin submitted by a testifier opposed to the ban.

Chef Eberhard “;Hardy”; Kintscher, of Michel's at the Colony Surf Restaurant, said the debate is a philosophical one.

“;Coming from Europe, we now have a lot of artisan farmers who put a lot of pride into their work, how you handle the animal, and how you grow it,”; Kintscher said, who has been preparing foie gras for decades. “;The duck will always eat as soon as the light is turned on.”;