Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh City Code at Title 6: Conduct, Article I: Regulated Rights and Actions to adopt a new Chapter 641 Entitled "FORCE-FED PRODUCTS PROHIBITED," PROHIBITING THE SALE OR PROVISION OF FORCE-FED POULTRY PRODUCTS.
Body
WHEREAS, foie gras is a food item produced from the diseased and enlarged liver of a duck or goose. The production of foie gras usually involves systematically force-feeding the animal until their liver has enlarged up to ten times its normal size.
WHEREAS, the practice of force-feeding birds for foie gras production is widely considered by veterinary professionals to be inhumane because it involves inserting a foot-long metal or plastic tube down a bird's throat and injecting large and unhealthy quantities of feed into the stomach. Force-feeding can induce liver disease in the birds, which is both painful and often fatal. The process can also cause the animals significant injury and illness, including
bacterial and fungal infections, malnourishment, and/or lameness.
WHEREAS, the modern foie gras production industry contributes to environmental degradation and climate change by keeping animals in conditions of intensive confinement that: require large amounts of water and energy; produce high levels of CO2e emissions; pollute air and waterways; and threaten wild endangered species.
WHEREAS, the State of California has banned the sale of foie gras along with prohibitions on foie gras production within the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland and six of the nine Austrian provinces, among other jurisdictions.
WHEREAS, many retail businesses no longer offer foie gras, including Whole Foods, Giant Eagle, Postmates, Costco, Safeway and Target.
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to reduce animal cruelty, unsustainable environmental practices, and zoonotic disease risks by removing force-fed products from the marketplace. It is also in the public interest to codify va...
Click here for full text