Israel to ban the force-feeding of Geese - ISRAEL - The Israeli Government will ban the force-feeding of geese in March 2006. As a result of the ban, there is expected to be a shortage of goose liver in Israel, and across Europe, Israel’s chief export market. The ruling provides an opportunity for U.S. suppliers.

Animal protection organizations in Israel have successfully campaigned for a law against the force-feeding of geese, for the production of goose liver. The Israeli government decided to stop force-feeding of geese. The ban will come into effect in March 2006.

The campaign led by Anonymous for Animal Rights (AAR), with support from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and comes two years after the Supreme Court in Israel ruled that the “production of foie gras causes unacceptable suffering and is therefore in violation of the law”. A recent survey proved that 69 percent of Israelis perceive force-feeding of geese to be animal-abuse.

Israel is one of the world’s major producers of foie gras. In 2004, local goose liver production value was estimated at $40 million, of which 67 percent ($27 million) were exported mainly to France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. In 2004, Israeli goose liver production totaled about 460 tons, of which 240 tons were exported. All goose meat is consumed locally. Approximately 80 families grow geese for the production of goose liver and another 250 people are employed by the industry. People who earn their living through goose liver production will be eligible for compensation for the loss of their main source of income.

The local goose industry is demanding $96 million in compensation from the government. The goose industry consumes feed mix in which the main ingredient is corn. In 2004, goose industry annual consumption of feed mix totaled approximately 25,000 tons. Due to the ban it is expected that local corn consumption will decrease in the future by as 15,000-18,000 tons. Once the ban takes effect, a shortage of goose liver is expected in Europe and Israel.

Source: USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service - 30th January 2006