Ban force‑feeding for foie gras
Petitioners ask the Minister to ban force‑feeding ducks and geese for foie gras, prohibit import and sale of force‑fed foie gras, and fund producers’ shift to plant agriculture. The government responds federal role is limited.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would end force‑feeding and the pain and disease the petition describes, directly improving animal welfare.
- It would prohibit domestic production and the import and sale of force‑fed foie gras, aligning Canada with jurisdictions that have restricted production.
- It provides financial aid and guidance to help producers transition to plant‑based agriculture, reducing economic harm during change.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Animal welfare regulation is mainly provincial and a federal ban may face jurisdictional and implementation challenges.
- Prohibiting imports or sales could raise trade and international legal issues that Canada must consider.
- A federal ban could harm producers and regional economies; some may prefer strengthened provincial standards or industry‑led transitions instead.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell up to ten times their normal size, causing a painful condition known as hepatic lipidosis; This process involves inserting tubes down the birds’ throats to pump large quantities of food directly into their stomachs, leading to injuries, ruptured organs, and sometimes deaths; Only the necks protrude from the cages, allowing the feeders to grab the birds’ heads to force the beaks open for feeding, with some birds experiencing torn necks and ruptured internal organs from the feeding tubes; In the last few weeks of their lives, up to four pounds of food per day are pumped into the birds’ stomachs; This practice is so extreme that it is unique among agricultural methods in deliberately inducing disease and deformities; The birds endure severe physical stress, including heat exhaustion from excess body fat and difficulty breathing due to enlarged organs; These aquatic birds are denied normal lives and even water for swimming; and The United Kingdom, most EU countries, Israel, Argentina, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Turkey, India, and the U.S state of California have banned the production of foie gras, with India banning importation. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to enact legislation banning the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese for the production of foie gras, banning the importation and sale of foie gras produced by such force-feeding, and providing financial assistance and guidance to producers for transitioning to plant-based agriculture.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Signed by The Honourable Heath MacDonald, PC, MP The health and welfare of animals is important to the Government of Canada. This is a shared responsibility that rests not only with the federal government but also with provincial and territorial governments and industry. Canadian provinces, as enabled under the Constitution Act, have the primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals, including farm animals and pets. Provincial and territorial legislation respecting animal welfare, where found, vary in scope and context. The interpretation, application, and enforcement of provincial farm welfare legislation must, and most appropriately, reside under their jurisdiction. Federally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has a limited animal welfare mandate that is specific to regulating humane transport of animals and the humane treatment of food animals in federal abattoirs. Additionally, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits anyone from willfully causing animals to suffer from neglect, pain, and injury. The Criminal Code is enforced by police services, provincial and territorial Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, and/or provincial and territorial ministries of agriculture. Moreover, duck and geese farms are subject to provincial and territorial licensing and regulation, including biosecurity protocols and animal welfare standards. For example, Quebec’s Animal Welfare and Safety Act governs duck and geese farming activities, and other provinces have similar frameworks. If duck or geese producers are found to be in contravention of provincial animal welfare-related legislation and regulations, they may face penalties or prosecution. Anyone concerned about the welfare of ducks or geese on commercial farming operations may contact the appropriate provincial authority. It is worth noting that domestic production of foie gras takes place primarily in Quebec at this time. Duck and geese producers have also taken positive steps to safeguard the welfare of animals on their operations through industry-led initiatives. In 2018, the Association des éleveurs de canards et d’oies du Québec (AÉCOQ) developed its own comprehensive farming guide covering all stages of production: hatchery, breeders, meat production, foie gras production, and animal transport. A committee was formed to oversee this process, with members representing AÉCOQ), Quebec Food Processing Council, poultry veterinarians, Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation. This farming guide was reviewed by a wide range of stakeholders beyond the core duck industry. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) supports all agricultural sectors. AAFC financially supports businesses and associations through project-based funding provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). Equal consideration is given to any eligible applicant seeking financial support. Sustainable CAP) is a 5-year, $3.5 billion federal-provincial-territorial initiative launched in 2023 to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. The Sustainable CAP includes federally delivered programs and cost-shared initiatives administered by provinces and territories, allowing for tailored regional approaches aligned with national objectives. With regard to imported products, Canada must always carefully consider any potential trade implications and ensure consistency with international trade obligations. The Government of Canada will continue to monitor developments in animal welfare science and international policy trends. It remains open to dialogue, stakeholder views, and evidence-based policy setting on this important issue.