Brazil Bans Foie Gras, Angering France

What Is Foie Gras and How Is It Produced?

Foie gras — French for "fatty liver" — is made from the liver of ducks or geese that have been force-fed large quantities of food through a metal tube inserted into the esophagus. This technique is called gavage. The feeding sessions take place two to three times a day during the final two to three weeks of the birds' lives, with the goal of enlarging the liver to up to ten times its normal size.

What Harm Does Gavage Cause to the Animals?

According to George Sturaro, director of public policy at the NGO Mercy For Animals, the process causes lesions in the throat, esophagus, face and beak of the birds. It also triggers metabolic changes and heat stress. Patrycia Sato, president of Alianima, notes that animals often try to flee when workers approach because the procedure becomes a violent routine.

What Did Brazil's New Law Actually Ban?

On July 24, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a bill banning the production and sale of any product obtained through force-feeding animals. The law, published in Brazil's Official Gazette, covers foie gras both fresh and canned. Violators face imprisonment of three months to one year, plus fines, under Brazil's Environmental Crimes Act.

Why Has This Sparked a Trade Row With France?

France is the world's leading foie gras producer. Brazil represented an annual market of approximately 1 million euros, concentrated in upscale restaurants and importers in major cities, according to Cifog, the French interprofessional committee for foie gras. Even before the presidential signature, Cifog had requested EU diplomatic intervention to block the measure. In May, the body classified the coming ban as a "first violation" of the Mercosur–European Union free-trade agreement.