BILL REQ. #:  H-3440.1 

Prefiled 1/3/2006. Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to force-feeding birds; adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Bird" includes, but is not limited to, any species of waterfowl such as goose, duck, or the cross breed commonly known as the mulard.
     (2) "Foie gras" means the liver of a bird that has been specifically fed to produce a large, fatty liver.
     (3) "Force-feeding" means any process, whether implemented by hand or machine, of feeding a bird that causes the bird to ingest more food than a typical bird of the same species would consume voluntarily. Force-feeding methods include, but are not limited to, delivering feed through a tube or other devise inserted into the bird's esophagus.
     (4) "Person" includes, but is not limited to, individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, and retail and restaurant establishments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A person may not force-feed a bird, or hire another person to force-feed a bird, for the purposes of enlarging the bird's liver beyond normal size. This section does not apply if the person force-feeds a bird for the purpose of improving the bird's health.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A person may not sell or offer to sell any foie gras or any product containing foie gras unless the foie gras or product containing foie gras originated from a state or other jurisdiction that prohibits the practice of force-feeding birds to produce foie gras.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Any person who violates this chapter is subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars per violation for each day the violation continues. Moneys collected under this section shall be deposited into the state general fund.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 3 of this act takes effect January 1, 2012.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 69 RCW.