Committee Hears Testimony on Bill to Ban Force‑Feeding of Birds (HB 1735)

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened a public hearing Friday on House Bill 1735, which would prohibit force‑feeding birds to enlarge their livers and would make it unlawful to sell, possess, transport or distribute foie gras produced using force feeding in Washington.

The bill’s staff briefing, delivered by Rebecca Lewis, summarized the measure: HB 1735 would bar force feeding of a bird “for the purpose of enlarging the liver beyond its normal size,” except when a veterinarian directs feeding to improve a bird’s health, and would subject violations to civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and up to $1,000 per day for continuing violations. The bill’s prohibitions would take effect Jan. 1, 2028, Lewis said.

Supporters said the practice—commonly called gavage—causes severe animal suffering and presents public‑health and environmental risks. Lisa Parshay, the bill’s prime sponsor and a veterinarian, told the committee she…