Illinois Senate Passes Foie Gras Ban

In April, the Illinois Senate passed a bill banning the force feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras in the state. The bill passed 53-0, with 1 Senator voting present.

According to the text of the bill,

A person may not force feed a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size or hire another person to do so.

Anyone violating this proposed law could be fined $1,000 per day that the offense occurs.

When originally offered, the bill would have also banned the sale of foie gras produced outside of Illinois, but that provision was ultimately struck from the bill passed by the Senate.

The bill will now be taken up by the Illinois state House of Representatives.

The full text of Illinois’ proposed ban on foie gras production can be read here.

Leave a Reply