I know it was removed according to #207, but I think it was a mistake.
The fact that the default layout of spree doesn't have a footer is not a reason to remove the footer_links.
If you work on a serious project using spree, you probably have to develop a new layout for it. Also, the designers of e-commerce market uses footer very often, normally to put things that includes static page links, like terms, return policy and stuff like that.
That is why I ask to bring footer_links back.