Here is an update on the progress happening for farm animals because of the critical actions you, our members and supporters, have taken so far in 2019.

In January 2019, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the foie gras industry of the lower court’s ruling that upheld the ban of this cruel product in the state of California. As of today, the law is in effect, but producers have continued the challenge on different grounds. Farm Sanctuary was a co-sponsor of the original California Foie Gras ban in 2004, which went into effect in 2012.

Intro 1378 is a common-sense bill that would prohibit the sale of foie gras from force-fed ducks and geese in New York City, with violators punished by a fine as high as $1,000. The proposed New York City ban would follow the similar statewide prohibition in California. Farm Sanctuary submitted formal testimony to the New York City Council in support of this critical legislation. (NYC residents can take action here.)

Our members have fiercely supported AB 479, a bill which provides incentives for plant-based options in California schools. Good news: Thanks to your help, the bill passed the assembly and is onto the senate!

Farm Sanctuary and The Animal Welfare Institute have sued the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for failing to respond to a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to proactively post online department records related to the treatment of animals in U.S. slaughter plants. On July 15, US District Judge Michael Telesca for the Western District of New York denied the Trump administration’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the USDA by animal welfare groups. (We’ll keep you posted on our progress with the lawsuit!)

Thank you for standing with us as we continue to fight for farm animals.