Portland Bans Force-Fed Foie Gras In Major Victory For Animal Welfare
In a significant victory for animal welfare, the Portland City Council has voted to ban the sale of force-fed foie gras within city limits, joining a growing movement to end a practice that animal advocates say causes unnecessary suffering to ducks and geese.
The ordinance passed by a 7-5 vote and will take effect in 180 days. Once implemented, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses in Portland will no longer be permitted to sell foie gras produced through force-feeding. Businesses that violate the ban could face financial penalties.
Foie gras, which translates to “fatty liver” in French, is produced by repeatedly force-feeding ducks or geese to enlarge their livers far beyond their natural size. Animal welfare organizations have long condemned the practice, arguing that it causes significant physical distress and deprives birds of the ability to engage in natural behaviors.
During the council debate, ordinance sponsor Mitch Green defended the measure, stating, “Force-feeding animals is cruel,” while arguing that the city should take reasonable steps to reduce unnecessary harm to animals.
For years, animal advocates have worked to raise awareness about the realities of foie gras production, arguing that no animal should endure suffering for the sake of a luxury food item. Ducks and geese are intelligent, social animals capable of experiencing pain and distress, making the practice increasingly difficult for many consumers to accept.
Portland joins a growing movement to end the sale of force-fed foie gras. Similar restrictions have been adopted in California, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brookline, Massachusetts, and New York City, where a court recently upheld the city’s foie gras ban after years of legal challenges.
With this landmark vote, Portland has taken a meaningful step toward reducing animal suffering and sending a clear message that cruelty has no place on our menus.
