The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approved a bill prohibiting the production and commercialization of foie gras throughout the national territory [1].
This legislative move marks a significant shift in animal welfare standards for the country's agricultural sector. By banning the practice of force-feeding, Brazil aligns its domestic laws with global movements to categorize such methods as animal cruelty.
The legislation, known as Projeto de Lei 90/2020 [1], was approved by the Commission on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship on April 29, 2026 [2]. The bill focuses on ending the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese, a process used to produce the fatty liver delicacy known as foie gras. Supporters of the bill, including various animal protection NGOs, said the process causes significant animal suffering and constitutes maltreatment [3].
The project has spent six years moving through the congressional process [4]. Following the approval by the commission, the text was sent to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for sanction [4].
Under the proposed law, the production and sale of items derived from force-feeding would be legally classified as animal cruelty [2]. This would make the practice illegal across all Brazilian states, targeting both the industrial production of the liver and its subsequent sale in markets, and restaurants [1].
Animal rights organizations have celebrated the decision as a victory for sentient beings. The ban effectively removes the legal shield for producers who utilize gavage — the technical term for force-feeding — to increase liver size for gourmet consumption [3].
“The bill focuses on ending the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese.”
The approval of Projeto de Lei 90/2020 signals a tightening of animal welfare regulations in Brazil, a global agricultural powerhouse. By formally classifying force-feeding as animal cruelty, the government prioritizes ethical farming standards over the niche luxury market for foie gras. This transition may influence other Latin American nations to adopt similar bans as pressure from animal rights organizations increases.
