The European Parliament wants a ban throughout the EU on force-feeding practices for animals, such as those used to fatten geese livers for foie gras. EU politicians aim to abolish the current exemption rule to the existing ban.
In foie gras production, geese and ducks are violently fed through a funnel down their throats to make them fat and plump as quickly as possible. This practice is still permitted in five EU countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, and Spain.
Because of this exemption for those five countries, foie gras can still be sold in other EU countries. To counter this, there is now also a call for an import ban.
“Force-feeding animals to produce fattened goose liver is one of the cruelest things farm animals endure on European farms. It’s fantastic that there is enough support in the European Parliament to put a definitive end to this as well,” said Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp.
Following this European Parliament decision, the European Commission must now negotiate with the agriculture ministers about implementing such a ban. It is expected that especially France and Hungary will be unwilling to give up their exemption status.
The European Parliament further wants that from 2027 onwards, fewer animals in livestock farming be kept in cages. Strasbourg thus aligns itself with the successful citizen initiative “Stop the Cages,” which was signed last year by 1.4 million people across Europe. On May 21, the agricultural committee of the European Parliament also expressed support for the call to phase out cages.
To prevent animal suffering from shifting to countries outside the EU, imports of food products derived from caged housing must also stop. Existing trade agreements must be revised accordingly.
European poultry, pig, and calf breeders still using cage systems will not be abandoned and will receive financial assistance in the future. This ensures a transition period during which they can adapt their businesses.
MEPs say there are dozens of alternatives to keeping pigs, calves, and other animals in cages. In several EU countries, including the Netherlands, animal-friendly methods are already being applied.