Goose Welfare in Foie Gras and Live Plucking

Geese face two distinct welfare crises: force-feeding for foie gras and live plucking for down, both causing significant suffering.

Key Facts

Force-feeding expands the liver up to ten times its normal size in foie gras production
Over 20 countries have banned foie gras production but imports continue in most
Live plucking of geese and ducks for down causes visible pain and stress responses
Cruelty-free down from moulting birds is available but represents a small fraction of production
The EU Sustainable Textiles Initiative is pushing for better down supply chain transparency

Welfare Considerations

Foie gras production through gavage (force-feeding) causes hepatic lipidosis — a diseased state — that is inherent to the production process rather than incidental to it. No welfare mitigation can make force-feeding compatible with acceptable welfare standards. Live plucking causes acute pain from feather removal and stress from repeated handling. Both practices are unambiguous welfare harms with available alternatives: foie gras consumption can be eliminated and down products can be sourced from cruelty-free moulting operations.

What You Can Do

Do not purchase or consume foie gras
Choose down products labeled as cruelty-free or from certified moulting operations
Support legislation banning both foie gras production and live plucking
Advocate for import restrictions on foie gras in countries that have banned production
Share information about live plucking with those purchasing down products