WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pro-Animal D.C. submitted more than 45,000 signatures for an initiative to ban the sale and distribution of force-fed foie gras in the District of Columbia. The proposed initiative seeks to place the measure on the November 2026 D.C. ballot.

The proposed ban, known as Initiative 86, targets foie gras produced from duck livers that have been fattened through force-feeding. Livers from ducks that are not force-fed would still be available for sale if Initiative 86 passes. Anvar Ruziev, a spokesperson for Pro-Animal D.C., stated, "That's what makes this product uniquely cruel compared to the rest of the animal industry."

Ruziev explained the production method. He said, "In this specific situation, there's tubes shoved down their throat, and they're pumped full of food." He added, "Europe, I believe, is the only place where they do it currently without force-feeding the animals."

Meghan Abrego, who creates YouTube videos featuring her duck Olivia Gray, worked to secure the ballot initiative. She described her efforts as "Quacktivism is what I like to call it." Abrego differentiated between a duck naturally eating large quantities of food and being force-fed, stating, "There's clearly a difference when it comes to you know, somebody gorging themselves like Patrick on Sponge Bob when he's hungry, versus it actually being forced down your throat where you don't have a choice."

Bart Hutchins, chef and owner of Butterworth's restaurant in Capitol Hill, wrote a column opposing the ban. He contended that a duck's esophagus is "desensitized" and that ducks in the wild gorge themselves before migration.

Pro-Animal D.C. was required to submit at least 28,728 valid voter signatures by July 6, 2026, to qualify the initiative for the November 3, 2026 ballot. The D.C. Board of Elections has 30 days from the submission deadline to verify the signatures. If the ballot initiative qualifies and passes, it would take effect on July 1, 2027. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a dispute over a California law banning foie gras sales on May 22, 2023.

Why It Matters

This initiative seeks to change regulations concerning animal products in the District of Columbia by targeting specific production practices. If successful, it would align D.C. with other jurisdictions that have implemented bans related to force-fed foie gras, such as California, where a state law banning sales was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear a challenge. The D.C. Board of Elections' verification process will determine if the initiative advances to the ballot.