Today marks the launch of Animal Equality’s campaign against the sale of foie gras in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Foie gras, a French “luxury” dish, is created by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell to 10 times their normal size. These swollen, diseased livers are ground into pâté and served at high-end restaurants from Paris to Michigan.
With the launch of this new campaign, advocates are urging the Ann Arbor city council to enact an ordinance banning the sale of foie gras. This campaign is led by Animal Equality Legal Advocacy Counsel–Maggie Marshall–a Southeast Michigan resident.
Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has long been at the forefront of animal protection legislation. In 2021, Ann Arbor banned the sale of fur within city limits. In 2023, the city bans pet stores from selling dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, certain birds and large reptiles. Now, Ann Arbor residents are demanding the city take a tough stance against businesses that profit from cruelty.
Extreme cruelty discovered at foie gras farms
Over the years, Animal Equality has published investigative footage of the global foie gras industry, exposing extreme and controversial cruelty.
In the foie gras industry, ducks and geese are kept in cages so small that they cannot flap their wings. Sickness and injuries were widespread, and investigators photographed animals lying dead in cages or on concrete floors.
During the production of foie gras, workers confine animals and insert long metal tubes into their esophagus. They then introduce excessive amounts of high-calorie food directly into the animal’s body.
Footage from the industry showed animals with broken beaks and bloodied bodies, many gasping in fear and vomiting. They even witnessed animals backing into the corners of their cages when workers approached them, desperately looking for a way to escape.
The force-feeding process is repeated multiple times daily for several weeks until their livers reach the desired size. In their final moments, the animals are forced to watch as their companions are slaughtered right in front of them.
End the period of force-feeding
Ann Arbor residents are eligible to Sign the petition for animal equality asked the city council to ban the sale of foie gras. Meanwhile, supporters residing in Southeast Michigan left invited to volunteer as Animal Equality prepares for in-person protests.
People living outside of Southeast Michigan can also get in on the action. Simply sign Animal Equality’s petition to ban the sale of foie gras nationwide or Become an online volunteer.
{firstname}, thank you for signing this petition to end foie gras.
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Sign the petition calling for a ban on the sale and production of foie gras in the United States.
Stand up against suffering of all kinds
While ducks and geese suffered greatly in the foie gras industry, pigs, cows, chickens, sheep and other animals suffered the same fate. Animal Equality’s investigations have uncovered cruelty in every corner of the factory farming industry, exposing corporations that use animals to produce meat, milk and eggs.
You can take a stand against all forms of animal cruelty by replacing animal products with compassionate, sustainable and healthy proteins. Sign up for the Love Veg newsletter to receive your copy of our plant-based cookbook today.
DUCK PROTECTION
Even before hatching from their eggs, ducklings communicate with their close-knit family.
Protect these families by eating plant-based products and giving up animal products.
