Geese farmed for down, foie gras, and meat face welfare challenges specific to their biology and behavior.
Goose welfare in farming is primarily threatened by live down plucking — practiced in some Eastern European operations — and by foie gras production through force-feeding. Live plucking causes acute pain and stress; the practice is banned in many countries but persists where regulation is weak. Down in most Western products is a slaughter byproduct, but without supply chain certification, live-plucked down can enter supply chains. Welfare-certified down standards including RDS (Responsible Down Standard) require no live plucking and provide supply chain traceability.