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Israel Foie Gras Ban Takes Effect

Israel - The Israeli Supreme Court ruled on August 2003 in a detailed decision that force-feeding of geese and ducks is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, and that the regulations that had allowed this practice were not valid. The Court allowed an extension of about a year and a half, ending at the end of March 2005, before the ban was to be enforced. Yesterday, on 31 March 2005, the Supreme Court rejected a request by the Ministry of Agriculture to extend the delay by an additional year. Israel is the world's fourth largest producer of foie gras, and most of its production is designated for export to the European Union and Japan.