Washington, D.C. votes on a foie gras ban in Initiative 86

The initiative would prohibit force-feeding a bird to enlarge its liver beyond normal size and ban the sale or distribution of any resulting product, including foie gras, with civil penalties for violations. The campaign is led by Pro-Animal DC, which says the practice makes birds so sick that many can barely walk or stand.

The referendum petition gathered 46,020 signatures, the most in the city's history. Foie gras sales are already banned in California, New York City and Pittsburgh, and a ban in Portland is due to take effect before the end of the year. Brazil banned the product this year, and India became the first country to do so in 2014.

If approved, the ban would take effect on 1 July next year. Producer Hudson Valley Foie Gras is consulting lawyers about a possible legal challenge.