Because of concern about its inherent cruelty, foie gras production has been banned in many countries, and the product is not sold in many establishments throughout the world. The laws of at least fourteen countries include language that prohibits force-feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras.

In some countries, the law explicitly bans the force feeding of ducks and geese, and in other countries, the general animal welfare laws are interpreted to prohibit the practice.

The following countries/states have enacted explicit bans against force-feeding:

California
Chicago
Austria (6 of the 9 provinces)
Czech Republic (1992)
Croatia
Denmark (1991)
Finland (1996)
Germany (1936 and 1993)
Italy (2004)
Luxembourg (1965)
Norway (1974)
Poland (1999)
Turkey

The laws of the following countries have been interpreted to ban force-feeding of animals for foie gras production:

Holland
Ireland
Israel
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

The European Union, which has already imposed a ban on other inhumane farming practices such as veal crates and gestation crates, is considering a ban on foie gras as well. Such a ban would outlaw cruel foie gras production in 15 European countries. Click here to read more.

Many fine establishments worldwide have also dropped foie gras from their menus after learning about the terrible cruelty it perpetuates. To learn about establishments that have been reported to eschew foie gras, please click here.