Portland council advances foie gras ban after packed hearing

By AI, Created 9:55 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Portland City Council held its first reading Wednesday on a proposal to ban the sale or provision of force-fed poultry products, including foie gras, inside city limits. The measure drew 709 written testimonies and 81 sign-ups to speak, underscoring intense public interest as the council delayed further action to a future hearing.

Why it matters: - The proposal would make Portland a city where restaurants, retailers and other food businesses could not sell or provide products made from force-fed birds. - Supporters argue the ordinance would reduce animal cruelty and align the city with humane food policy. - The hearing showed unusually high public engagement, signaling the issue could remain politically active as the council revisits the measure.

What happened: - The Portland City Council held its first reading Wednesday on Document 2026-149, a foie gras ban proposal. - The ordinance would add Chapter 17.110 to Portland City Code. - The measure would prohibit the sale or provision of certain force-fed poultry products, including foie gras, within Portland city limits. - The council continued the item to a future hearing after taking extensive public testimony. - Council confirmed 709 written testimonies were submitted and 81 people signed up to testify verbally. - Council President Jamie Dunphy limited testimony because of the high level of public participation.

The details: - Councilor Mitch Green, one of the ordinance sponsors, said the city should adopt the ban because force feeding animals is cruel and the measure would limit harm within the city’s control. - Pro-Animal Oregon Campaign Director Sam Schillinger testified in support of the ordinance and cited backing from Portland restaurants, veterinary professionals and polling. - Schillinger said 58 Portland restaurants and 32 veterinary professionals have endorsed the proposal. - Schillinger said seven restaurants and one retailer were currently selling foie gras. - Schillinger said 16 restaurants and two retailers had offered foie gras over the past year. - Pro-Animal Oregon said it has licensed video and photographic documentation captured in February 2026 inside a major U.S. foie gras production facility. - The organization said those materials are available to journalists upon request and were referenced during the hearing. - Pro-Animal Oregon reviewed verbal testimony and found 64 speakers supported the ordinance and 14 opposed it.

Between the lines: - The ordinance is framed by supporters as a targeted policy rather than a broad food regulation, which may make it easier for council members to back. - The large volume of testimony suggests the measure has become both an animal welfare issue and a test of how far Portland wants to go in regulating food sales tied to production methods. - The public support numbers presented during the hearing suggest organized backing from advocacy groups, restaurants and veterinary professionals could shape the next round of debate.

What’s next: - The council is expected to take up the proposal again at a future hearing. - Further council discussion is expected before any vote on the ordinance. - Pro-Animal Oregon is continuing to advocate for a phaseout of force-fed foie gras sales in Portland. - More information is available through Pro-Animal Oregon’s social media and related channels.