D.C. Foie Gras Ban Passes but Faces Legal Challenge Ahead of July 2027 Effective Date and Congressional Review
Washington, D.C. voters approved Initiative 86 on November 3 with about 73 percent support, banning the force-feeding of birds in the District and the sale, distribution and import of foie gras and other fattened-liver products. Businesses that violate the ban face fines of $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, and repeat offenders could lose their business licenses.
The ban is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027. Before then it must undergo congressional review, and the D.C. Council must also resolve funding for enforcement. The District's chief financial officer estimates implementation will cost about $314,000 over four years, including hiring an additional inspector.
Since the vote, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, one of the country's two major producers, has said it is working with lawyers and plans to challenge the ban in court, setting up a legal fight before the effective date. Pro-Animal Future, the animal-protection group that pushed the initiative, says the ban still has to go through the appropriations process before it can truly take hold.
During the campaign, a Swedish Blue duck named Olivia became the ban's mascot and appeared outside polling places. The District joins California, New York City, Pittsburgh and Portland; Denver voters approved a similar ban the same day with 66.55 percent support.
Source: Washingtonian
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：鹅肝料理。CC BY-SA 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A foie gras dish. CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
