New York City has witnessed a heated legal battle centered around duck liver, pitting the municipality, supported by animal welfare activists, against duck farmers and several restaurant owners following the city authorities' decision to ban this luxury food item. Restaurant managers are still legally allowed to serve this delicacy while awaiting a resolution from the local courts.
Following pressure from animal welfare groups, the then-mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, approved a local law in November 2019 prohibiting the sale, service, and even possession of foie gras, which was set to take effect three years after its adoption. This law targets the "luxury" dish made through the force-feeding of ducks.
However, last September, the two main farms for duck breeding and foie gras production in the state obtained a ruling from the local Supreme Court that suspended the municipality's ban. In response, New York City launched a counterattack in court last January. The city's mayor, Democrat Eric Adams, who has been in office since 2022, identifies as a vegetarian.
