I am puzzled why Coun Vassie is so proud of the fact he abstained on the foie gras vote last week. He seems puzzled as to why The Press did not cover those who abstained. Can I suggest it's because it was insignificant - in fact, only three councillors abstained from the vote. The rest of the chamber voted overwhelmingly in support of my campaign.

His comment that the plight of UK ducks will not improve as a result of my motion is the most bizarre and ill-thought out objection I have ever heard. UK law is inconsistent and illogical on this issue - production of foie gras is banned in this country already on the grounds that it's cruel, but as the sale is allowed, these poor birds are suffering abroad to satisfy UK demand. Does it really matter to Coun Vassie where the birds are suffering? Is it really so important to him that a York bird is happy, but one suffering in Paris only to end up on a plate in York is perfectly fine? This is patent nonsense.

I received two requests to widen my campaign to cover other issues. One was from the British National Party, and the other was from Coun Vassie. My response to both was if you make the campaign about everything then it's effectively about nothing.

Coun Vassie has never done anything proactive in terms of animal welfare in his whole council career - all he has ever done is criticise. He says in his letter that when he asked me to widen my campaign, he did not receive a response. In fact, I sent him an email outlining in full my reasons, which he even replied to.

I cannot understand why an alleged animal welfare supporter would want to abstain from a motion setting out to reduce animal suffering.

Coun Paul Blanchard, Chaucer Lane, York.

  • I hope it is not overstretching mixed metaphors, but I suspect your readers have had a bellyfull of foie gras for the moment.

In brief, therefore, to answer Coun James Alexander's puzzlement about my poltics on animal welfare and foie gras (Man under fire, Letters, October 8).

If you are someone who believes passionately in having a tidy house, your best bet is to tidy up your own house rather then call on someone down the street and tell them to tidy up theirs.

If you want to reduce energy waste, it is more productive to switch your lights off rather than sending letters to Greeks or Italians telling them to get switching off theirs.

Ditto with animal welfare. If you want to see real results, it is more productive to put effort into sorting out animal welfare at home, which our Government can do something about, rather than pass motions about other nations' animal welfare issues, which our Government cannot do anything about. It's that simple.

Coun Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.

  • The recent vote by York council to ban foie gras has made me proud to live in Yorkshire.

However, your correspondent, Councillor Vassie (Just a gesture? Letters, October 9) does not understand logic.

Why would we refuse to take one small step to help tortured animals, simply because there are other animals who also suffer?

I see no evidence that Coun Blanchard is other than totally sincere in his wish to ban foie gras on welfare grounds. If he raises his profile through doing so, then good luck to him.

Coun Blanchard deserves his recent increased majority for his hard work and commitment to issues that deeply concern York residents - animal welfare is one of these.

Opinion polls consistently show overwhelming support for better animal welfare policies.

If anyone is going in for gesture politics and posturing, Coun Vassie should look elsewhere. I can see no logical reason for his stance.

I Foster, Pasture House, Coxwold, York.

  • IN angered response to this unnecessary and irrelevant concern, could I just say that people's views on geese welfare would certainly change if they took a walk through Rowntree Park.

Also, I can't tell you how disappointed I'll be with this country if this issue ever makes the forefront of political debate.

Adam J Fisher, Southolme Drive, Rawcliffe, York.