California lawmakers announced on Wednesday afternoon that they will not help a group of chefs, who are looking to overturn the ban on foie gras in California.

The bill, which was first proposed by former state Senator John Burton in 2004, would ban foie gras from being served in California restaurants starting July 1.

A group of some of the biggest names in the culinary world banded together earlier this week in an effort to overturn the law, asking legislators to repeal the ban.

But according to the Associated Press, Senate President Pro Tem Darrelll Steinberg said that “he would not allow the issue to preoccupy the Legislature” and that there are more pressing issues for the state to deal with.

Nathan Ballard, spokesman for the coalition of chefs, said that he understands that it will be very difficult to get legislation through before the ban takes place in July.

More to come as the deadline nears.

• Tag: Ban, Coaltion of Chefs, Ducks, foie gras, John Burton, Law, Legislators