Update: The petition is now closed. Click here for more ways to help animals.
A new parliamentary e-petition, sponsored by Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith and initiated by the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals, urges the federal government to ban the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras, the import and sale of any foie gras produced through this cruel method, and support farmers in transitioning to plant-based agriculture.
This is a critical opportunity for Canadians to speak up for birds who suffer tremendously inside foie gras operations.
Force-Feeding Causes Immense Suffering
Foie gras, which translates to “fatty liver,” is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell up to ten times their normal size. This intentionally induces hepatic lipidosis—a painful disease caused by unnatural fat accumulation in the liver.
At foie gras farms, workers restrain the birds and insert long tubes down their throats, pumping large quantities of feed directly into their stomachs several times a day. This violent process can tear the birds’ necks, rupture internal organs, or cause suffocation. Many birds die during force-feeding from heat stress, respiratory distress, infections, and liver failure.
In the final weeks of their lives, birds may endure up to four pounds of food per day being forced into their bodies, far more than they would ever consume naturally. They struggle to breathe as their organs enlarge, grow weak under the strain of excess body fat, and lose the ability to move comfortably.
These aquatic birds—who are meant to swim, forage, and explore—are denied access to water and confined in filthy, cramped cages or pens that prevent natural movement.
In Canada, half a million birds suffer and die for foie gras each year.
An International Disappointment: Canada Is Falling Behind
The cruelty inherent in foie gras production has led many countries to take action. The United Kingdom, much of the European Union, Argentina, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Turkey, and the state of California have all banned foie gras production, and India has banned its import.
Despite overwhelming evidence of suffering, Canada continues to permit force-feeding—and in past years has even supported the industry. In 2019, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provided $123,000 in public funding for a research initiative aimed at improving “public trust” in foie gras, even as investigations revealed unimaginable cruelty on Canadian farms, including ducks beaten, kicked, and crammed into tiny cages, and in some cases having their heads ripped off while still alive.
Instead of propping up an industry built on grotesque cruelty, Canada should embrace plant-based food systems.
What Does Petition e-6771 Ask the Government to Do?
Petition e-6771, which closes for signatures on January 2, 2026, calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to:
- Ban the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras production
- Ban the import and sale of foie gras made through force-feeding
- Support farmers in transitioning to plant-based agriculture
If adopted, these measures would help Canada confront one of the most extreme forms of cruelty in modern animal farming.
Take Action!
Ducks and geese are sensitive, intelligent individuals who feel fear, stress, and suffering. This cruelty is unacceptable.
Ending foie gras force-feeding would align Canada with global leaders and reflect the values of Canadians. Please add your voice to petition e-6771 and call on the federal government to ban force-feeding for foie gras.
Banner image: Pierre Parcoeur | We Animals
