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1 July 2024

Animal Equality

Foie gras is set to be provided at this year’s Olympic games: a product connected to the intense suffering of countless ducks and geese in Europe. Animal Equality has launched a petition calling on the committee to rethink this decision, while the issue itself serves as a strong reminder for why an EU-level ban on force-feeding for foie gras production is still needed.

13 million meals will be dished up at this year’s Olympic games, which will take place in Paris between July 26 and August 11. Of these, 60% will be plant-based, according to the International Olympic Committee. 

While this shows a positive commitment to more sustainable and healthy diets, it is a stark contradiction that a cruel and controversial product  is also on offer to the games’ VIP guests: foie gras.

The suffering behind foie gras production

The production of foie gras is brutal. Geese and ducks are force-fed large quantities of food through a funnel up to three times a day for 12 to 16 days, after which they are then slaughtered. In most cases, these birds are made to live in horrible conditions during this process: in small cages fitted with a moving grid, within which they are squeezed at the time of force-feeding, to make their necks easier to grasp.

22 Member States have already recognised the barbarism of this practice and have outlawed the production of foie gras, with the exception of some countries including France, Hungary and Spain. In the countries that still allow it, the savage treatment of geese and ducks in the sector has been well-documented, including by the French NGO L214 and our Belgian member GAIA, which launched a legal action at the end of 2023 against the Walloon Region for continuing to turn a blind eye to this practice.

It is critical the European Commission steps in to align all 27 of its Member States on this issue, and bans force-feeding for foie gras in legislation, so this cruel process cannot be conducted anywhere within the EU. Indeed, this is a step the European Parliament already called for in 2021. It’s vital we see this change enacted as soon as possible.

The message needs to be clear: foie gras must not be offered to guests at this year’s Olympic games. Having claimed it would like to “[showcase] French food that is sourced, produced and consumed in a responsible way”, it would be a hypocritical move by the International Olympic Committee to then include a product that is so closely linked to needless cruelty and suffering. 

Stop foie gras from being served at this year’s Olympic games

Our member, Animal Equality, has launched a petition asking the International Olympic Committee to revoke its decision to serve foie gras:

Sign the petition here. 

Alternatively, try this link https://animalequality.org.uk/campaign/ban-force-feeding/olympics/

With the world watching, the Olympic games is a powerful moment to take a stand for animal welfare, and show that foie gras has no place on the menu.

A disgusting show of what the movement thinks – disgusting; I will keep my thoughts and words to myself – but please sign the petition; this is gonna be a big issue at the games; so lets make it one !

Regards Mark