What are we doing?

We’re working in a number of different ways to raise welfare standards for farmed ducks in the UK and beyond:

RSPCA welfare standards for farmed ducks
We encourage all producers to rear their ducks to our detailed RSPCA welfare standards for ducks, which we have developed to ensure higher standards of welfare are met from hatching through to slaughter. Along with many other requirements, the standards specify that ducks must have access to a suitable source of open water to carry out their important water-related activities such as preening.  

Research project on farmed duck welfare
We have been working with the University of Cambridge, duck producers and retailers to achieve a significant improvement to the welfare of farmed ducks through the provision of water facilities that allow the expression of key water-related behaviours. The results of this research will be reviewed, with a view to strengthening, where relevant, the RSPCA welfare standards for domestic/common ducks. This project is supported by The Tubney Charitable Trust.

Reducing the sale of foie gras in the UK
We urge all retailers not to stock foie gras, and also press all restaurants and other food retailers not to have it on their menus. In 2001, the RSPCA, along with other welfare organisations, alerted a UK retailer to the welfare issues surrounding the production of pate de foie gras they were selling. Based on the information we supplied, the retailer decided to stop selling the product.

If you’re concerned about farmed duck welfare, you may like to know more about how you can help.