Supporters urge Massachusetts to ban foie gras sales, citing animal cruelty and public‑health concerns
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Summary
Testimony in favor of H.966 / S.544 described foie gras production as forced gavage that causes severe animal harm and poses public‑health risks; proponents cited international bans and municipal ordinances and asked the legislature to prohibit sales statewide.
Campaigners, veterinarians and public‑health witnesses urged the committee to advance H.966 and S.544, legislation to prohibit the sale of products derived from force‑fed birds (foie gras). Testimony combined ethics, animal‑welfare science and public‑health arguments.
Animal‑welfare testimony
- Witnesses described gavage — the force‑feeding of ducks and geese through a tube to fatten their livers — as a painful, unnecessary practice. “There is no way to ethically enlarge the livers of birds up to 10 times their natural size,” one speaker said.
Public‑health and ecological testimony
- Several witnesses argued foie gras production increases disease risk. One witness cited research linking amyloid exposure and chronic inflammatory disease and raised questions about cumulative exposure. Another public‑health witness said intensive force‑feeding and the concentration of waste on foie‑gras farms increases risks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spread and broader ecological impacts.
Municipal and precedent context
- Brookline and other municipalities have banned foie gras sales, and advocates urged a statewide approach to avoid uneven local protections and to prevent Massachusetts restaurants from serving the product.
Committee follow up
Committee members asked for scientific references and public‑health evidence and accepted written materials. No vote was taken at the hearing.
