Victory
Foie gras is French for “fatty liver.” To produce this so-called delicacy, ducks are force fed abnormally large quantities of food by placing a long tube down their esophagi and pumping food directly into their stomachs, two to three times daily for about 21 days. This cruel force-feeding induces a serious, often deadly medical condition called hepatic lipidosis – commonly known as fatty liver disease. Some birds don’t even make it to slaughter, instead dying from injuries to the throat, liver failure or rupture, breathing issues, or heat stress.
Almost all foie gras produced in the United States comes from two facilities – Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm – both located in Sullivan County, New York. An Animal Outlook investigation at Hudson Valley Foie Gras documented birds crowding into corners and vocalizing in distress as workers approached with feeding tubes, and a worker forcing a metal tube down a bird’s throat. A 2012 lawsuit was jointly filed in U.S. District Court against the USDA for violating the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act by allowing this adulterated poultry to be sold to consumers.
Foie gras production has already been banned in a number of countries, including the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, and Turkey. A 2019 poll showed that 81% of New Yorkers wanted foie gras banned due to its cruelty.
The Ask
The Petition — To District Attorney Meagan Galligan and Sheriff Michael Schiff of Sullivan County, New York:
I am appalled that the production of foie gras is the result of horrific cruelty inflicted on millions of ducks in the United States. After learning about the apparent ongoing violation of New York’s animal cruelty law by Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm, I’m joining Animal Outlook to respectfully urge your offices to initiate criminal prosecution against these two corporations as well as their owners and officers. In 2021, Animal Outlook made this same request and received no response. Animal abusers must be held accountable.
