D.C. poised to ban foie gras. The fight's not over.
Axios · Anna Spiegel ·
The proposed ban appears poised to pass, but a major producer is preparing for a potential court fight — and questions remain about when foie gras will actually disappear from menus.
Driving the news: Initiative 86 appears poised to pass with over 73% of the vote as of early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press, following a campaign by Pro-Animal DC that collected a record 31,726 valid signatures to qualify for November's ballot.
- The measure prohibits force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers — no foie farms exist in D.C. — along with the commercial sale and distribution of foie gras and other fattened bird liver products.
- The ban would begin July 1, 2027, provided the city funds its implementation.