Western Swiss Politicians Promote Animal Cruelty

Foie Gras: Production Banned, Import Permitted

Force-feeding geese and ducks is already banned in almost all European countries, currently with only a few exceptions, such as France, Hungary or Bulgaria.

For the production of foie gras, young male geese and ducks are force-fed several times a day with metal tubes and feed until their liver swells pathologically to up to ten times its normal size, and sometimes even ruptures. The tormented animals also suffer broken wings, painful wounds and often perforated throats. Such practices constitute animal cruelty and are therefore in Switzerland of course prohibited under penalty of law.

Animal Cruelty versus Apple Sauce

Ada Marra, SP National Councillor from Vaud, pointed out during the debate that the Romands would not tell the German-speaking Swiss when they were allowed to eat apple sauce either.

Foie gras may continue to be imported into Switzerland. However, it will have to be explicitly labelled as foie gras. This is what the Federal Councils decided on 14.9.2023.

Popular Initiative for an Import Ban

In Switzerland, signatures are currently being collected for a popular initiative for a foie gras import ban. Behind the initiative is the organisation Alliance Animale Suisse. Switzerland imports 200’000 kilograms of goose foie gras annually.

Barbarism and animal cruelty are not tradition or culture.