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Portland bans foie gras!

04/06/2026 Updated: 29th June, 2026
Ducks in foie gras farm

The United States city of Portland, Oregon, has approved a ban on the sale of foie gras – a measure that will take effect in seven months and represents a significant step forward in the protection of animals used in this industry.

The Portland City Council approved the measure with a vote of 7 in favour and 5 against, following years of coordinated work by animal protection organisations and animal advocates.

Once the regulation comes into force, restaurants that continue to sell foie gras may face financial penalties.

The passage of this ban is the result of a strategy driven over several years by various organisations, including Animal Equality. 

Cruel force-feeding

Foie gras is produced primarily through the force-feeding of ducks and geese, a practice widely challenged by animal protection organisations, veterinary experts, and many members of the public due to the physical and psychological suffering it causes the birds.

Portland joins a growing number of measures adopted around the world to restrict or ban the production and sale of this product. 

This victory represents a new step toward a more compassionate food system for animals and shows how collaboration between organisations and citizens can result in concrete progress for millions of animals!

Foie gras in the UK

While force-feeding of animals is a crime in the UK, and has been for 20 years, the importation of foie gras continues. We are demanding an end to this legal loophole.

Join us and sign our petition today. If it’s too cruel to produce here, it’s too cruel to import it.

Petition Letter

We, the undersigned, join Animal Equality in calling for a ban on the importation of foie gras produced by force-feeding into the UK.

Foie gras produced by force-feeding is immensely cruel and causes unimaginable suffering to millions of birds each year around the world. The force-feeding process – also known as gavage – involves forcing a tube down the throats of terrified ducks and geese, to shoot inside of them larger amounts of food than they would ever willingly ingest.

There is an abundance of scientific evidence showing that foie gras production by force-feeding generates severe physical and psychological pain for the animals involved, not only exclusively when the tube is inserted in their throats, but also during other times throughout their short lives. The production process causes their livers to swell to ten times their natural size, at which point the animal’s diseased liver is sold and marketed as foie gras.

There is a serious strength of feeling on this issue. With cross-party political support and a YouGov poll revealing that the majority of Brits are in support of a ban, the UK has taken a clear stance on this issue. Strong legislative action is necessary in order to protect animal health and welfare, and public morality in British society. 

As you will no doubt be aware, the process of gavage is considered incompatible with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (2006), as well as The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). Domestic legislation states that:

‘Animals shall be fed a wholesome diet which is appropriate to their age and species and which is fed to them in sufficient quantity to maintain them in good health, to satisfy their nutritional needs and to promote a positive state of well-being.’

And that:

‘No animals shall be provided with food or liquid in a manner, nor shall such food or liquid contain any substance, which may cause them unnecessary suffering or injury.’

Despite this, the UK continues to import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of this product each year, with many retailers and delis profiting from this cruelty.

There is no viable justification to delay a ban on products made by force-feeding further. The British public is expecting you to take action. Your fellow political colleagues support a ban.

We call on you to take this opportunity to speak up for ducks and geese and begin drafting legislation for a ban without delay.

We, the undersigned, look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely,

Abigail Penny

Executive Director, Animal Equality UK

Thank you for signing this important petition.

Before you go, remember that we are up against a huge, multi-million-pound industry. That is why one powerful way to ensure we can continue this difficult fight is by making a donation.

DONATE NOW

Abigail Penny

Executive Director Animal Equality UK

THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING FARMED ANIMALS!

Please help spread the word. Share the petition with your friends and family.

THANK YOU!

Your actions are changing the world for animals everywhere. Thank you again for your support and we’ll keep you informed on any progress we make.

For the animals,

Abigail Penny

Executive Director, Animal Equality UK

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Demand the Government bans imports of foie gras made by force-feeding – SIGN NOW!

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END THE CRUELTY

Foie gras is immensely cruel. Its production causes ducks and geese severe physical and psychological pain. You can protect ducks and geese by opting for plant-based alternatives.

Try Plant-Based Today

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