Foie gras production involves force-feeding ducks and geese to enlarge their livers. The welfare science is clear: gavage causes suffering. Legal alternatives are emerging.
The welfare evidence against gavage foie gras is robust. Force-feeding causes oesophageal trauma, respiratory distress from enlarged livers pressing on air sacs, and inability to walk normally. Behavioural indicators of acute and chronic stress are consistent and severe. Some producers claim migratory birds naturally gorge before migration, but the rate and extent of liver enlargement in foie gras production far exceeds natural gorging. Ethical gourmet alternatives using naturally fattened livers are being developed, and consumer rejection of conventional foie gras has reduced demand significantly.