Starting today (1 April 2005):
force-feeding of geese and ducks is illegal in Israel!
Israel - The Israeli Supreme Court ruled on August 2003 in a detailed decision
that force-feeding of geese and ducks is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act,
and that the regulations that had allowed this practice were not valid. The
Court allowed an extension of about a year and a half, ending at the end of
March 2005, before the ban was to be enforced. Yesterday, on 31 March 2005, the
Supreme Court rejected a request by the Ministry of Agriculture to extend the
delay by an additional year. Israel is the world's fourth largest producer of
foie gras, and most of its production is designated for export to the European
Union and Japan.
Anonymous for Animal Rights, which manages this campaign for the last 6 years,
wishes to thank every person and organization who took part in this campaign,
wrote letters to Israeli authorities, attended vigils in front of Israeli
Consulates, provided us with information, and gave us moral or financial
support. Special thanks to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA),
whose financial support made possible our public campaign, and Noah, The Israeli
Association of Animal Protection Organizations, which managed the legal struggle
against force-feeding.
