Brazil bans foie gras cruelty; why hasn't the EU?

Brazil has become the second country to ban the production and sale of foie gras, a practice that involves force-feeding ducks and geese to induce fatty liver disease. Animal welfare organizations have long opposed this cruel practice due to the severe suffering it inflicts on the animals. While force-feeding has been rejected in most of Europe, some countries still continue the practice, including France, Hungary, Bulgaria, Spain, and Wallonia.

Despite the ban on production in many EU Member States, foie gras can still be imported from countries where force-feeding is allowed. The European Commission missed an opportunity to phase out force-feeding by retaining marketing rules that require foie gras products to meet minimum liver weight standards. Animal Equality UK is campaigning to end imports of foie gras produced overseas in the UK. By removing regulatory barriers and ensuring imported products meet domestic animal welfare standards, the EU and UK can help bring an end to foie gras cruelty.