Author Archives: La Belle Farms

La Belle Farms and Hudson Valley Foie Gras to Challenge Recent Appellate Ruling That Limits State Review of NYC’s Foie Gras Ban

Upstate Duck Farmers Will Ask New York's Highest Court to Restore Earlier Ruling that Protected Farm Practices and Farmers' Livelihoods

FERNDALE, N.Y., March 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — La Belle Farms, a fourth-generation, family owned and operated duck farm located in Ferndale, N.Y., announced today it will appeal the recent decision by the Appellate Division, Third Department, which ruled that the State Department of Agriculture and Markets misapplied state law when it blocked New York City’s 2019 ban on the sale of foie gras (Local Law 202).

Foie gras, a timeless delicacy rich in tradition and flavor. Belle Farms, Inc.
Photo caption: Foie gras, a timeless delicacy rich in tradition and flavor. Courtesy La Belle Farms.

Last week, the appeals court found that the state agency’s protection of La Belle’s farm operations went beyond what the statute allows. The farm said it respects the court system and will seek review by the New York Court of Appeals to resolve the competing priorities at issue – NYC’s animal-welfare concerns and New York State’s longstanding policy to support agriculture as a vital part of the economy.

“Today’s ruling is a setback, but we will not stop fighting for our right to farm and to sell our product,” said Sergio Saravia. “This appeal is about more than foie gras; it’s about protecting family farms and the many jobs and small businesses that depend on them. We’ll be asking the Court of Appeals to clarify how state agricultural protection should operate so farmers aren’t left vulnerable to local measures that reach well beyond city limits.”

La Belle Farms is a fourth-generation, family-run duck farm on 40 acres in Sullivan County, NY. Founded by the Saravia family in 1999, La Belle is one of the few farms nationwide producing foie gras and premium duck meat, and it supports the regional economy by employing hundreds of local workers and partnering with area businesses.

“Agriculture depends on predictable and consistent policies so farmers can operate with certainty,” notes Marcus Henley, manager of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, a premier New York foie gras producer. “It becomes difficult when different municipalities adopt their own restrictions on products that are otherwise legal under state law.”

Edward Phillips of Keane & Bean, PC, who represents La Belle Farms, added: “We will ask the Court of Appeals to review the record and uphold the Commissioner’s determination. The Appellate Division held that the Commissioner was powerless to stop the City from imposing a sales ban that was admittedly designed to restrict a farming practice. That ruling, which is unprecedented and leaves all farmers across the state vulnerable to similar sales bans, should be reviewed by New York’s highest court.”

While the Appellate Division ruled against the agency’s interpretation, La Belle Farms notes that a separate injunction from another case currently prevents the city from enforcing Local Law 202.

Court: NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department

Docket Number: CV-24-1310 – https://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2026/CV-24-1310.pdf

Citation: 2026 NY Slip Op 01426

ABOUT LA BELLE FARMS:

La Belle Farms is a 40-acre, family-run, duck farm located in Sullivan County, NY. It is one of three farms in the country that produce foie gras. The farm was established by the Saravia and Lee families in 1999 and has supported four generations of family members. It currently produces over 182,000 ducks per-year for high-quality foie gras and other superior duck meat products. Their management team constantly travels around the world, learning about the latest production methods and keeping tabs on culinary trends. Learn more: https://labellefarms.com/.

MULTIMEDIA:

Photo link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0318-s2p-labellw-300dpi.webp

Photo caption: Foie gras, a timeless delicacy rich in tradition and flavor. Courtesy La Belle Farms.

NEWS SOURCE: La Belle Farms


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New York Supreme Court Upholds La Belle Farm and Hudson Foie Gras’s Right to Sell the Duck Delicacy in NYC

SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- In a significant legal victory for upstate New York duck farmers, the New York Supreme Court in Albany has ruled against New York City's ban on the sale of foie gras. The ruling confirms that Local Law 202, which sought to prohibit the sale of foie gras within City limits and had been enjoined by the New York State Department of Agriculture, violates state agricultural laws designed to protect farming practices and promote agricultural commerce, La Belle Farms announced today.

With this decision, New York City remains prohibited from enforcing its ban on foie gras, allowing restaurants and retailers to continue offering this culinary delicacy to their patrons. The ruling reaffirms that local laws cannot unreasonably restrict state-protected agricultural practices.

La Belle Farms Inc. and Hudson Valley Foie Gras, both based in Ferndale, NY, challenged the City's ban, arguing that it unlawfully targeted their farming practices and threatened their livelihood. The Court's decision underscores the importance of supporting local agriculture and upholding state policies that prioritize economic stability in farming communities.

Key Points:

* In 2019, New York City enacted Local Law 202, banning the sale of foie gras, citing concerns over animal welfare related to the force-feeding process used in its production.

* The New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) § 305-a protects farming operations from local regulations that unreasonably restrict agricultural practices.

* After reviewing Local Law 202 and investigating the impact it would have on the Farms, the NYS Department of Agriculture declared that the law was void and unenforceable.

* In a Decision and Order issued on June 21, 2024, the New York State Supreme Court in Albany agreed and held that Local Law 202 was preempted by state laws that promote and protect the agricultural economy.

* The Court's decision reaffirms the legality of foie gras production and sale throughout New York State, ensuring that upstate farmers can continue their operations without city-imposed restrictions.

Sergio Saravia, President of La Belle Farms, expressed his relief and gratitude for the Court's decision. "This ruling is a victory for farmers across New York State. It's about more than just foie gras; it's about preserving our right to farm and support our families. We are grateful to New York Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball for protecting our livelihoods and the Court for recognizing the importance of the state's agricultural practices."

Edward J. Phillips, attorney at Keane and Beane, P.C. in White Plains, NY, who represented the farmers, commented, "The Court's thorough and insightful decision sets an important precedent that protects the farming community in Sullivan County and the broader agricultural economy of New York State."

About La Belle Farms:

La Belle Farms is a 40-acre, family-run, duck farm located in Sullivan County, NY. It is one of three farms in the country that produce foie gras. The farm was established by the Saravia and Lee families in 1999 and has supported four generations of family members. It currently produces over 182,000 ducks per-year for high-quality foie gras and other superior duck meat products. Their management team constantly travels around the world, learning about the latest production methods and keeping tabs on culinary trends.

Learn more at: https://bellabellagourmet.com/

News from La Belle Farms

In a significant legal victory for upstate New York duck farmers, the New York Supreme Court in Albany has ruled against New York City's ban on the sale of foie gras. The ruling confirms that Local Law 202, which sought to prohibit the sale of foie gras within City limits and had been enjoined by the New York State Department of Agriculture, violates state agricultural laws designed to protect farming practices and promote agricultural commerce, La Belle Farms announced today.

Related link: https://bellabellagourmet.com/

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