Animal Equality: Shocking Cruelty of Foie Gras Farms in France
Let's put an end to this cruelty!
These never-before-seen images show how millions of ducks and geese are force-fed for foie gras production.
Foie gras, which translates to "fatty liver," is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese. A 20-30 centimeter metal tube is shoved down their throats, forcing the animals to swallow a huge amount of food. This causes their livers to expand up to 10 times their normal size.
These animals endure tremendous pain and discomfort throughout the force-feeding process. Some even suffer from broken beaks and tears to their esophagus. They are then killed at just 15 weeks old and their diseased livers sold for profit.
These images were captured on several duck farms in France - the largest foie gras producer in the world.
While foie gras production has been banned in many countries, it remains legal in 49 states across the United States. That’s why we need your help to ban this unnecessary ‘delicacy.’
By adding your voice, you can contribute to making a significant difference in the lives of these animals: animalequality.org/news/2023/11/22/newly-released-images-french-foie-gras-farms/
It's important to remember that ducks and geese are not the only animals suffering in the food industry. Pigs, cows, chickens, and other farmed animals also experience fear and pain before they are slaughtered for food.
You can make a positive impact by introducing plant-based foods to your table. Love Veg offers a wide range of resources to help you get started on your journey towards a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle. Visit loveveg.com today!
Chapters:
0:00: Introduction
0:12: State of Fear
0:41: Fattening Phase
1:00: Metal Tube Pushed Down Throat
1:26: Broken Beaks
1:42: Killed at 15 Weeks of Age
1:53: Throats Cut While Conscious
2:23: Legal in 49 US States
Featured in
Transcript (English — en-US)
This is the force-feeding
for the production
of foie grass.
These never-before-seen
images shot
at several duck
farms in France
show the extreme cruelty
of this practice.
Ducks are forced to live in
crowded cages
on top of each other.
They are in an obvious
state of stress and fear,
backing into the corners
of the cages
as if to protect themselves.
They pant from fear.
What lies ahead for them
is terrible.
During the first few
weeks on the farm,
ducks are fed normally.
But then the workers begin
to increase the animals' food
intake to unnatural levels.
The ducks now begin
the fattening phase.
While one duck is being fed,
the others huddle in the corner
of the cage, terrified.
A 10- to 12-inch metal tube
is thrust down
the ducks' throats
and pushed
to the entrance
of the esophagus.
At this point,
the animals are forced
to swallow
large amounts of food
from 200 to 400
grams of feed every day.
Ducks endure this
painful process up
to three times per day
for 15 long weeks.
It is the same
as a 175-pound person
being force-fed to swallow
over 28 pounds
of food in a few seconds.
During this phase,
it is not uncommon
for ducks to suffer
injuries or beak damage.
Workers on these farms stated
that many animals
also suffer lacerations
to their esophagus
during force-feeding.
Around only 15 weeks of age,
these animals are killed.
They are first hung by
their legs and stunned.
But the stunning
is often done incorrectly
by inexperienced workers.
This means ducks
will have their throats
cut while conscious
and able to feel the blade.
Once killed,
the industry takes
the only thing they care
about––the diseased liver.
This is the only reason
for this cruelty:
for the meat industry
to profit. This liver,
which weighs
up to ten times
as much of a healthy
animal, is sold
as a so-called 'delicacy.'
This is how foie gras is
made, and it's legal
in 49 out of the 50
U.S. states.
It's time to end this
cruel practice
by banning the production
and sale of force-fed products
across the country.
This is why we're calling
for the United States
government
to support
a ban on the sale
and production of
foie gras in our country.