FOUR PAWS provides positive list of goose and duck suppliers
In recent days, FOUR PAWS has provided 30 Austrian wholesalers and retailers with a positive list of Hungarian water fowl producers. The companies named on this list have demonstrated that they do not condone force feeding or live plucking. In addition, they do not process animals used in these barbarous production methods. The listed companies have also agreed to unannounced independent checkups. This is an enormous success for animal welfare, as the majority of the Hungarian water fowl industry is now free of the animal cruelty caused by force feeding and live plucking.
Until now, FOUR PAWS has provided only a blacklist of producers with a proven record of cruelty to animals. The industry has reacted to the success of the campaign against foie gras and down from live plucking, enabling FOUR PAWS to finally provide a list of responsible businesses with transparent production practices. To be positive listed, companies must have agreed to cease completely any part of the production of foie gras or “fatty liver” (force-feeding, processing of force-fed animals, breeding of animals for force-feeding) and live plucking (any removal of feathers while the animal is alive), as well as financing any aspect of these industries. Hungary was not the only country delivering products produced by live plucking of animals. Poland, too, has a bad track record when it comes to down production. Unlike some Hungarian businesses, Polish firms have been consistently uncooperative and continue to engage in live plucking. There is therefore a high risk of supporting animal cruelty indirectly by purchasing items containing down from Polish suppliers. FOUR PAWS now plans to increase its research in Poland, and expects to discover frequent examples of animal abuse.
The Hungarian companies Hungerit (HU110) and Hungavid (HU907) remain blacklisted by FOUR PAWS. Both firms attempted to fake positive developments with misdirection and untruths. FOUR PAWS strongly recommends avoiding doing business with these firms due to their unethical approach to animal welfare and to transparent business practices.
The positive list also means there are no longer any excuses for Austrian wholesalers and retailers. As campaign director Marcus Müller explains, “We hope that the procurement departments of Austrian businesses now assume responsibility and prioritise trade with the businesses named on the whitelist.”
Download the positive list
Here you can download the positive list (PDF 143 KB)
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