DG Health and

Food Safety
Overview report
Commercial
Rabbit Farming in
the European Union

Health and
Food Safety
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY

Health and food audits and analysis

DG(SANTE) 2017-6303

OVERVIEW REPORT OF THE

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
ON COMMERCIAL FARMING OF RABBITS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
 Executive Summary
The aim of this overview report is to provide a better understanding of commercial rabbit farming
in the European Union, with a focus on welfare at the time of production, as covered by Council
Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. This report
follows the European Parliament resolution on " Minimum standards for the protection of farmed
rabbits" which called upon the European Commission to establish a roadmap towards minimum
standards for the protection of farmed rabbits.

The actual size of commercial rabbit farming in the EU and consumption of rabbit meat is just
over a third of previously available figures, and it is highly concentrated in a few Member States.
Different to other livestock species, there is a high proportion of rabbit meat - 34% - sourced via
backyard farms and direct sales.

The main producing countries (Spain, France and Italy) highlight the importance of rabbit
farming in maintaining rural communities, supporting the local economy and providing jobs
outside urban areas. However, after many years of downturn in the consumption of rabbit meat
and the low prices of rabbit fur, the commercial rabbit sector is facing fundamental challenges
which will shape its future and threaten its sustainability.

Market demand is the main driver influencing production systems. The main market for rabbit
meat coincides with the areas of production (Southern Europe) and is characterised by
consumers' focus on price. In these main areas, traditional cages are the norm for farming (85%
of total EU production). Conventional cages limit the expression of natural animal behaviours
and increases the potential of situations, such as overstocking and cages for replenishing
reproductive female rabbits, where EU legislative requirements are not met. On the other hand, if
appropriate biosecurity measures are implemented, they facilitate handling and disinfection,
which contributes to better health.

A secondary and much smaller market in volume (Central Europe) covers consumers with greater
focus on the expression of rabbit behaviour. For this market, farming is moving towards enriched
pen housing systems (6% of EU production). Whilst it provides for better opportunities for rabbits
to express natural and social behaviours, it presents downsides regarding handling and
disinfection and as a result, higher mortality and morbidity rates. Rabbit meat produced in this
system is labelled differently and is more expensive at retail level.

Throughout Europe, production systems with enriched cages (9%), partially address
shortcomings on animal welfare presented by conventional cages whilst maintaining biosecurity
strength.

The two different markets would need to develop different strategies to find the best compromise
for meeting their current demands regarding welfare of rabbits, farmers' needs and consumers'
requests without compromising the sustainability of the sector.

Based on available results of official controls performed by competent authorities, the sector
appears to be broadly in compliance with welfare legislative requirements.

I
Table of Contents

1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................1
2. Objective and scope ......................................................................................................................1
3. Background and Methodology......................................................................................................2
4. Assessment and procurement of data for analysis ........................................................................2
5. Statistical data on rabbit farming and processing in the EU .........................................................3
6. Features of rabbit meat consumption ............................................................................................4
7. Trade of rabbit meat......................................................................................................................5
8. Rabbit farming in the European Union .........................................................................................7
9. Rabbit welfare in commercial production systems .......................................................................8
10. Rabbit welfare rules at the time of production............................................................................11
11. Conclusions.................................................................................................................................13
ANNEX I.............................................................................................................................................15
ANNEX II ...........................................................................................................................................16

II
1. INTRODUCTION

This report follows the European Parliament resolution on "Minimum standards for the protection of
farmed rabbits" which called upon the European Commission to establish a roadmap towards
minimum standards for the protection of farmed rabbits. This report provides an overview of data
gathered by the Commission services on rabbit farming in the European Union (EU), with a focus on
welfare at the time of production, as covered by Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the
protection of animals kept for farming purposes.

The report is divided into eleven chapters which can be grouped into three main areas. The first area
analyses data on production, processing, consumption and trade of rabbit meat. The second presents
rabbit farming in the EU with a focus on the different commercial production systems and their
effect on rabbit welfare. The third covers EU and national legislations at the time of production,
together with official controls performed by the competent authorities.

Rabbit is, after poultry, the most efficient converter of proteins in cellulose-rich plants into food with
high-value animal protein. With the current societal focus on sustainability and avoidance of
competition between food and feed, rabbit meat production is thus especially interesting. Some
countries such as France, Italy and Spain have a long historic tradition in the production and eating
of these animals.

Consumption of rabbit meat has seen resurgences across Europe during wars as a way to cope with
meat shortages. The fact that rabbits can be kept successfully in small areas and support household
economy increased the popularity of rabbits as ‘backyard livestock’.

Eventually, rabbit keepers across Europe began to approach farming with the same scientific
principles as had already been applied in the production of other species which led to the
development of commercial rabbit farming. In many parts of the Union, rabbit production remained a
small scale but consistent household and farm endeavour and in many cases was unregulated by the
rules that governed the production of larger livestock.

As happened with other farmed species, public concern with rabbit farming practices grew in
Europe. At the same time, globalisation increased the visibility of rabbit production and rabbit meat
consumption in geographical areas where people had not previously been aware of them. This,
together with the increase in popularity of the rabbit as a pet animal has resulted in a myriad of
public campaigns in specific EU Member States over the last ten years directed at public
administrations on the welfare of rabbits.

2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

The aim of this overview report is to provide a better understanding of the commercial rabbit farming
sector in the EU, its situation, economics, structure and current farming practices, with a focus on
rabbit welfare during farming.

The scope of this overview report principally covers commercial farming of rabbits intended for
meat production. It also includes available data on backyard farming. The farming of rabbits
1
intended principally for fur production has proven to be minimal in the EU and has therefore been
excluded from the scope.

3. BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

Commission Directive 98/58/EC1 concerns the protection of animals kept for farming purposes and it
applies also to rabbits. There is no specific EU legislation laying down minimum requirements for
the protection of farmed rabbits. Pushed by internal demands and pressure exerted by non-
governmental organizations, a number of EU Member States have developed national legislation in
this area.

In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion on the impact of
housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits2.

The Council of Europe, via its Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of
Animals Kept for Farming Purposes, started work on drafting a recommendation concerning the
protection of domestic farmed rabbits. This drafting was however abandoned in 2009 in the 19th
version after failing to reach an agreement.

More recently, the European Parliament issued a report on "Minimum Standards for the Protection of
Farmed Rabbits", and in March 2017, it backed a non-legislative resolution3 calling upon the
Commission to establish a roadmap on minimum standards for the protection of farmed rabbits
through a number of initiatives such as drafting of guidelines on good practices, and in the longer
term the consideration of specific EU legislation.

In this context, the Commission services started a project to support the production of this overview
report (Annex I). Main elements consisted of a series of fact-finding missions to some of the main
producing Member States and to those that are moving towards alternative production systems.
Questionnaires to competent authorities, farming associations, and veterinary rabbit practitioners'
associations were circulated and responses received, together with further meetings, discussions and
exchange of information with Non-Governmental Organizations, feed producers, farming, breeding,
rabbit processing and veterinary associations.

4. ASSESSMENT AND PROCUREMENT OF DATA FOR ANALYSIS

When preparing this report, the Commission services have noticed that data available in regards to
rabbit farming is limited and often unreliable. Rabbit meat production is not covered under the
European Meat Market Observatory, thus the limited amount of information readily available was
further undermined by the weak and unreliable source of primary data.

For the development of this overview report, a major effort has been made to gather primary data

1 Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (OJ L
221, 8.8.1998, p.23).
2 EFSA report "The impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic
rabbits. Annex to the EFSA journal (2005) 267, 1-31.
3 European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2017 on minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits
(2016/2077(INI)), P8_TA(2017)0077.

2
directly from competent authorities, based on information which is being accurately gathered (e.g.
slaughter of livestock at approved slaughterhouses). Where doubts arose, data was further verified
and validated against the information and knowledge requested and attained from national veterinary
rabbit practitioners associations, EU rabbit breeders association, and rabbit farming associations.

5. STATISTICAL DATA ON RABBIT FARMING AND PROCESSING IN THE EU

There are around 180 million farmed rabbits reared for meat consumption in the EU. Around 119
million4 (66%) are kept in commercial farms and slaughtered for human consumption in approved
slaughterhouses5. The other 61 million6 (34%) are reared, sold and consumed via back-yard farms,
direct and local sales. These figures differ significantly from those used in previous publications,
such as the EFSA opinion of 2005 and the European Parliament report of 20177.

These figures indicate that in the EU, rabbits are in the sixth position regarding the numbers of
farmed animals killed for human consumption (after poultry, laying hens, trout, salmon, and pigs)
and eighth in terms of volume of meat with 168,000 tonnes, (after ovine meat but before caprine
meat).

Rabbit farming is highly concentrated in three countries representing 83% of total EU production.
Spain is the main producer with 48.5 million rabbits slaughtered in 2016, followed by France with 29
million and Italy, with an estimate of 24.5 million. There is a second group of 5 Member States with
low production levels which together produce 14%, with another 10 Member States accounting for
the remaining 3%. There are 10 Member States with no commercial slaughtering and farming of
rabbits in their countries.

Map 1:
Number of rabbits slaughtered in 2016
at approved rabbit slaughterhouses in
EU Member States (ANNEX II).

For some countries, the number of rabbits reared and the number slaughtered in their territory do not
match. This is explained by the existing intra-EU trade of live rabbits between certain Member

4 MS official response to questionnaire "Commercial production of farmed rabbits in the EU" circulated on 12/04/2017.
Validation exercises performed for data verification.
5 All data for 2016 - except for Greece (2013), Czech Republic and Sweden (2015). Ireland and Luxembourg did not
provide information and the Commission did an estimation for these two countries.
6 Based on information provided by competent authorities on estimations of own consumption and direct sales of rabbit
meat in their Member States.
7 The EFSA opinion indicated 375 million of rabbits in the EU for year 2004 and the EU Parliament report indicated
340 million for year 2015.

3
States. The Netherlands sends the vast majority of their rabbits for slaughtering in Belgium, and to a
lesser extent in Germany; the Slovak Republic sends its production to the Czech Republic, whilst
Spain receives live animals from Portugal.

6. FEATURES OF RABBIT MEAT CONSUMPTION

Compared to other livestock species, there is a significant volume (34%) of the rabbit meat
consumed in the EU which is sourced from backyard farms, direct and local sales (e.g. farmers
markets)8 as opposed to more conventional retailing channels. Data from Member States suggest
there are around 161,000 rabbit back-yard farms in the EU. A cultural link to sourcing rabbit meat to
celebrate certain festivities persists in northern and central Europe, and also persists as a source of
protein that is fairly simple to produce in rural communities and Member States which are
economically less developed. In 16 EU countries, this is the main channel for the rabbit meat that is
consumed.

Map 2: Percentage of total rabbit

meat consumed in EU Member
States that is sourced from
commercial farms (ANNEX II).

Hungary and The Netherlands have an export-orientated rabbit farming industry with a very low
level of national consumption.

There has been a continuous decline in the consumption of rabbit meat in the EU. This reduction in
consumption is mainly linked to changes in consumer habits towards convenience foods, consumers
losing the habit of eating rabbit meat, the increased perception of the rabbit as a pet animal,
consumer price expectations and price competition at retail level versus other meats. Overall, rabbit
meat consumption in the EU stands at 0.5 kg per person per year, of which 0.34 kg is sourced
commercially.

8 Regulation (EC) 853/2004, allows certain derogations - such as the slaughtering of small quantities of farmed rabbits
at registered farms, to be sold directly to final consumers, or to local retail establishments.

4
 Member State Kilograms of rabbit meat/person/year
Malta > 3 kg
Spain, Portugal 1 kg to 1.5 kg
France, Italy 0.5 kg to 1 kg
Belgium, Germany 0.1 kg to 0.5 kg
Rest of EU Member States < 0.1 kg
Table 1: Per capita annual consumption of rabbit meat in the EU sourced commercially.

In Spain and Portugal, rabbit meat prices are in direct competition with those of poultry meat (5
Euro/kg of rabbit meat vs 10 Euro/kg in Belgium and 11 Euro/kg in Germany).

As a result of these factors over the last 10 years, there has been a decline in rabbit meat production
in the EU of around 19% which is consistent across all the main producing countries. Belgium and
Netherlands (accounting for 2.5% of total EU production) are an exception as they have been able to
maintain their production levels as they accommodate their production systems to cater for welfare
conscious consumer groups at home and abroad.

Against this negative trend, there is a consumer perception of rabbit production being sustainable and
providing a healthy meat, which is supporting, albeit from a very low base, the uptake of
consumption in certain consumer groups and Member States.

7. TRADE OF RABBIT MEAT

Of the total of 168,000 tonnes commercially produced in 2016 in the EU, 23,000 tonnes9 were traded
within EU Member States, equating to 14% of total production.

Map 4: Main net trade flows of

rabbit meat within the EU, 2016.

There are significant variations between and within Member States on final carcass weights. Whilst
the average stands at 1.42 kg per carcass, countries like Spain, Portugal and Southern Italy lean
towards younger rabbits with 1.2 kg carcass weight, whilst Germany, and other central European

9 DG TRADE Comext data sourced via .European Commission export helpdesk.

5
countries have a market for older rabbits of 1.6 kg carcass weight. This, together with price, and
method of production, partly explains intra-EU trade flows and how specific exporting EU countries
are able to accommodate their production to the market needs of importing countries.

China is the largest producer of rabbit meat in the world and the main exporter of rabbit meat into the
EU accounting for 99% of total imports10. In 2016, imports accounted for less than 3% of available
rabbit meat.The market consists of frozen carcases that are mostly imported via Belgium, Germany,
Czech Republic and France destined mainly for the food service industry.

Over the last three years there has been a decrease of over 45% in the amount of rabbit meat
imported from China into the EU. The main reasons for this drop seem to be linked to an
unfavourable currency exchange rate (Euro- Renminbi) and a significant increase in internal demand
in China for higher value fresh rabbit carcasses11.

It is worth noting that, different to the EU rabbit farming sector, the Chinese export rabbit industry
tends to be fully integrated with the slaughterhouse, further processing establishments and farms
under the same ownership and management.

Year Euro value in Tonnes

millions
2014 24,432 7,498
Imports of rabbit meat
2015 19,841 6,167
from China into the EU
2016 16,542 4,799
Exports of rabbit meat
from the EU into to non-EU 2016 13,967 3,769
countries
Table 2: Imports of rabbit meat from China into the EU from 2014 to 2017 and exports from the EU in 201612.

The EU also has a sizeable exporting market, which is split in neighbouring non-EU countries
demanding higher value fresh rabbit meat (e.g. Switzerland), and a market for lower value offal (e.g.
China, including Hong Kong).

Europe holds a relatively narrow negative trade balance on rabbit meat. Nevertheless, it should be
noted that the Chinese market is not open to EU rabbit meat exports intended for human
consumption, and thus this limits the capability to expand EU exports to this market which has
growing demand, which is important in the current environment of shrinking internal markets and
surplus EU production.

10 Import of "hare meat" into the EU also takes place, but from Argentina, Uruguay and to a lower extent Chile. It
accounted for 1,215 tonnes in 2016.
11 Information gathered at mission DG(SANTE)/2017-6230 "Report of an audit carried out in China from 05/06/2017 to
16/06/2017 in order to evaluate controls for food of animal origin in particular poultry meat, egg products and rabbit
meat for export to the European Union.
12 Data from EU Commission Trade website "export helpdesk".
13 Commercial rabbit farms are defined as those that send rabbits to slaughter at approved abattoirs.

6
8. RABBIT FARMING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The number of commercial farms in the EU13 is estimated at around 4,500. As expected, they are
mostly present in Spain, France and Italy. On the other side of the spectrum there are eight countries
with no commercial farms, and a further eight with less than ten in their territory.

Rest of EU
Belgium
Netherlands
Hungary
Figure 1: Number of commercial rabbit
Greece
farms in EU Member States.
Germany
Poland
Portugal
France
Italy
Spain

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000

In the past ten years, there has been a reduction
in the number of commercial farms, which was steeper than the actual reduction in production level.
The number of farms decreased by 20% in Hungary in the last 5 years and by 40% in Spain and Italy
in the last ten years. In Belgium and The Netherlands there was a reduction of 70% in the number of
farms in the past 20 years.

This trend, which is set to continue, is the result of a move towards greater professionalization in
rabbit farming - following the same steps as other livestock species - as margins and operating profits
narrow. Farms are becoming bigger in size, more specialised, farmers are better prepared and
facilities are improving. Many small and medium size farms, affected by the crises, have been unable
to make the necessary upgrades and investment, and are thus moving out of the business.

To become a self-sufficient business and enable full-time employment of the farmer, a farm needs at
least 700-800 does (reproductive female rabbits). Thus, new and newly refurbished rabbit farms
generally have over 1,000 does and in some cases over 2,000 does.

In the majority of Member States, most farms are independently owned family businesses, with some
level of vertical integration in Spain and Italy (i.e. farmers working under contract with integrated
rabbit production and processing companies). In the main producing countries, independent farmers
tend to organize themselves via cooperatives; in Spain and Italy these are less formalised as opposed
to France which has very strong farmers' cooperatives in charge of the technical management,
commercialization and liaison with processors.

Despite its decline, the importance of the commercial rabbit sector in maintaining jobs and people in
rural areas, and providing jobs should not be underestimated. In Spain alone the sector accounts for
6,000 direct jobs with a further 12,000 indirect jobs estimated.

7
Currently, the rabbit sector is in a weak financial situation that can be linked to oversupply - due to
shrinking demand - and the need to face other challenges, also affecting other livestock sectors to
different degrees, such as the reduction in the use of anti-microbial substances, compliance with
environmental legislation on emission reductions, and improvements in animal health via enhanced
biosecurity. Each one of these will, in principle, result in extra financial costs, either up-front or in
operational costs.

For the sector, income comes mainly from meat, but also from selling rabbit skins and, to a lesser
extent, other by-products (e.g. dried brains for medical devices). These extra sources of revenue have
in the past cushioned any reductions in rabbit meat prices; however the rabbit skin trade collapsed
towards the end of 2014 and current market prices stand at around 15% of previous ones.

Commercial production is quite standardised. For fattening rabbits:

 The production cycle lasts 63-66 days (Spain), 70-73 days (France) and up to 80 days (Germany).
 Rabbits are usually un-weaned at around 32 days.
 Artificial insemination is the norm, and does are artificially inseminated 10 days after giving
birth and have around 8.5 pregnancy cycles in a year. They are expected to provide 7-8 viable
fattening rabbits per cycle to reach the slaughterhouse.
 The average productive span of a doe is seven productive cycles (11 months).

Due to the sensitivity of rabbits to diseases, farm facilities that permit improved biosecurity measures
such as "all-in all-out" systems are the preferred option by farmers. Its implementation results in
reduced mortalities and morbidities, and permits further reduction in the use of anti-microbial
substances. The use of anti-microbials14 presents major variations between Member States, with The
Netherlands having reached 70% reductions, over 35% reduction in France and some parts of Italy
over the last 5 years, whilst Spain on the other hand, is just starting with the implementation of its
strategy on the reduction in the use of anti-microbials and there is still an important tendency to use
them prophylactically.

9. RABBIT WELFARE IN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Commercial production systems in the EU could be classified into three main types: Conventional
production system (barren cages) accounting for around 85% of total EU production, enriched cages
accounting for 9% and the pen "Park" housing system accounting for the remaining 6%. Other
production systems do exist in the EU, but they are either residual in number (e.g. organic farming)
or used in non-commercial environments, thus not permitting a direct comparative.

Rabbit farming production systems in Member States are strongly influenced by the market
destination of their products. For example The Netherlands and Hungary use the pen housing system
in 60% and 40% of their fatteners respectively, in spite of this not being a legal requirement in their
country, as a way to access external markets that demand higher animal welfare during production
(e.g. Belgium, Germany and Switzerland). Italy and France are starting to increase from the current
level of around 3-4% in the pen housing system to cater for similar national and foreign demands.
14 Further detailed information can be found in DG (SANTE): Overview Report AMR Prudent Use of Antimicrobials
(2016-6238).

8
Spain, whose production supplies mainly internal and price conscious markets, does not show signs
of moving from traditional cages.

Table-3: The four animal welfare

principles used as assessment tool for
on-farm welfare (EBENE project
France).

Conventional production system

Production takes place in cages with sizes ranging from 38-40 cm in width, 90-100 cm in length and
32-40 cm in height. The same types of cages are used for fattening rabbits, for pregnant does, and for
does with kits. Maximum stocking densities showed variations between Member States, from 45
kg/m2 to close to 50 kg/m2 depending on how old animals were when sent to slaughter.

A second type of even smaller cage exists for replenishing stock/non-pregnant does ranging from 25-
40 cm in width, 45-51 cm in length and 29-40 cm height. Foot-rests are widely used to avoid injuries
from continually sitting on a wire cage floor. Fattening rabbits tend to be kept together in groups
since birth in the same cage (doe removed after weaning) to allow for minimum handling and
mixing.

The conventional production system can provide for acceptable levels of feeding, health and housing.
The limited space availability due to cage sizes and stocking densities, limits normal rabbit
behaviours such as gnawing, hopping and standing. This situation is further exacerbated in the
smaller cages used for non-pregnant does as they even face difficulties in standing up or turning
around.

Photos 1-3: Standard type of production.

9
Enriched cages
Cage sizes range from 38-40 cm in width, 100 cm in length and 60 cm in height. Effectively, they are
modified standard cages where the roof has been raised and a platform has been added at a height of
around 32 cm. Other enriching materials such as gnawing wooden sticks or chains have also been
added. The stocking densities used, 40 kg/m2, are lower than those in the conventional production
system. The same cages are used for fattening rabbits, for pregnant does, and for does with kits. In
the majority of Member States, cages to raise replacement does are the standard smaller cages
previously described.

This production system, compared with the conventional system, maintains and even improves the
health status of the farm - thus providing the added benefit of a reduction in the use of anti-microbial
substances. At the same time, it partially addresses the issues arising from limited space and barren
environment, as rabbits can express an extended range of natural behaviours.

Due to differences in cage heights, farmers reported problems with handling and ergonomics, with a
risk of injury from repetitive strain, as their facilities were originally designed for the standard cage.

Photos 4-6: Production in enriched cages15.

Pen " Park" housing system

The pen housing system uses cages ranging between 180-200 cm in length, 100 cm wide and with no
height restrictions. The system includes platforms, 45 cm wide, and enrichment materials such as
gnawing wooden sticks, and tubes for hiding. Maximum stocking densities of 30 kg/m2 are used.

Currently, the pen housing system is almost only used for fattening rabbits due to aggressive
protective behaviours expressed by does with kits. A handful of commercial farms are starting to try
and apply partial pen housing during the last ten days before weaning takes place. It is for this reason
that the majority of does are still kept in standard or enriched cages.

This housing system, as reported by farmers themselves, provide for the best environment for rabbits
to express their natural behaviour. Rabbits are livelier and avail of the extra space provided, to hop,
stand up, and move around, hide under the platform or inside plastic tubes, and gnaw at the different
materials provided.

15 Picture number 6 courtesy of Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

10
A major drawback is the lack of a possibility to implement "all-in all-out" measures, as rearing
spaces for does and fatteners are different. This results in higher levels of mortality and morbidity -
which reduces the welfare of the animals - and in other welfare issues linked to the mixing of litters,
e.g. increased fighting when animals start reaching maturity. It also implies an increased level of
handling and management by the farmer.

Photos -7-9: Production in pen housing system16

10. RABBIT WELFARE RULES AT THE TIME OF PRODUCTION

There is EU legislation (Commission Directive 98/58/EC) concerning the protection of animals kept
for farming proposes that applies to rabbits bred or kept for farming. This Directive requires EU
countries to make provisions to ensure that keepers of animals take all reasonable steps to ensure the
welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that these animals are not caused any unnecessary
pain, suffering or injury. Moreover, the Directive requires Member States to ensure that conditions
under which animals are bred or kept, having regard inter alia to the ethological and physiological
needs of the animals, comply with certain requirements, for example regarding the freedom of
movement of an animal or concerning buildings and accommodation in which it is kept.

There are no additional specific welfare conditions for the production of rabbits at European level.

MAP 3: Member States with national

legislation or statutory guidance
covering the welfare of farmed rabbits.

16 Pictures courtesy of Dutch rabbit farming association and Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

11
A number of EU Member States have developed more prescriptive national legislations covering the
protection of farmed rabbits during production. Some of them, like United Kingdom, Sweden,
Finland, and Austria do not have commercial farms in their territory. This makes it impossible to
assess the impact and benefits of such national legislation in a commercial environment. Austria is an
illustrative example, as its national legislation bans the use of cages and requires, among other
things, the rearing on the floor and the availability of bedding material. However, the biggest farms
in Austria have currently less than 50 does, with a focus on the local market.

Hungary, and to a very limited extent Poland, have developed national legislation prescribing
minimum requirements for the standard type of production. These include maximum stocking
densities and cage sizes. The prescribed standards are very similar to those found in other Member
States with the same type of production system.

Belgium and Germany have developed national legislation aimed at moving all farms towards a pen
housing system in a staged approach. They have started with fatteners and will continue with does
with their kits, providing transitional periods to farmers to comply with the rules.

In the case of The Netherlands, their national legislation currently favours enriched cages. The Dutch
authorities are now in the process of reviewing and re-drafting the rules with a view to a pen housing
system being required.

The above national legislations were implemented within the last four to eight years, with transitional
periods allowing time for conventional production systems to adhere to those standards. In Belgium
and The Netherlands alone, the rabbit farming associations anticipate a reduction to around 45
commercial farms from the current 70 as the end of the transitional periods approach in the next few
years.

In Italy, the competent authority produced guidance that has been circulated to rabbit farmers. It
outlines good husbandry practices, farmers' expected level of competence, together with minimum
cage sizes, space availability and the provision of enriching materials.

In France, the rabbit industry is currently drafting guidance. It is also in the last stage of rolling out
an on-line assessment tool developed to measure on-farm welfare indicators with a focus on feeding,
housing, health and expression of natural behaviours.

In Spain, at the time of this overview report, a good practice guidance had been developed by the
central competent authority in cooperation with the rabbit farming associations. This guidance,
primarily focuses on good husbandry practices and biosecurity measures to ensure good rabbit
health, with however little attention given to the capability to express appropriate behaviour."

Regarding delivery of official controls to verify compliance with animal welfare legislation at rabbit
farm level, the fact-finding missions showed that the Member States visited had specific or combined
risk-based inspections at rabbit farms at a low frequency based on the results of their risk analysis.

Five of the eleven main producing countries have an overview at a central level on the results of the
inspections. Those Member States totalled 854 inspections in 2016 (of which 88% took place in

12
Italy), where, in a total of 29 farms, non-compliances (3%) were noted, with only one instance
resulting in immediate action for administrative or criminal penalties.

In some Member States, competent authorities were relatively well aware of farms with deficiencies.
Based on own experience and knowledge of the sector, they had decided against formal enforcement
action to allow for the natural path of those farms towards closure in the short or medium term, as
they were no longer profitable businesses.

France monitors animal health and welfare indicators at the slaughterhouse. On-farm mortality after
weaning, post-mortem findings (including bruises and fractures) and mortality during transport were
monitored and recorded with investigations taking place when reaching pre-set trigger limits.

11. CONCLUSIONS

The actual size of commercial rabbit farming in the EU and consumption of rabbit meat is just over a
third of previously available figures, and it is highly concentrated in a few Member States. Different
to other livestock species, there is a very high proportion of rabbit meat -34% - sourced via backyard
farms and direct sales.

The main producing countries (Spain, France and Italy) highlight the importance of rabbit farming in
maintaining rural communities, supporting the local economy and providing jobs outside urban
areas. However, after many years of downturn in the consumption of rabbit meat and the low prices
of rabbit fur, the commercial rabbit sector is facing fundamental challenges which will shape its
future and threaten its sustainability.

Market demand is the main driver influencing production systems. The main market for rabbit meat
coincides with the areas of production (Southern Europe) and is characterised by consumers' focus
on price. In these main areas, traditional cages are the norm for farming (85% of total EU
production). Conventional cages limit the expression of natural animal behaviours and increases the
potential of situations, such as overstocking and cages for replenishing does, where EU legislative
requirements are not met. On the other hand, if appropriate biosecurity measures are implemented,
they facilitate handling and disinfection, which contributes to better health.

A secondary and much smaller market in volume (Central Europe) covers consumers with greater
focus on the expression of rabbit behaviour. For this market, farming is moving towards enriched pen
housing systems (6% of EU production). Whilst it provides for better opportunities for rabbits to
express natural and social behaviours, it presents downsides regarding handling and disinfection and
as a result, higher mortality rates and disease morbidities. Rabbit meat produced in this system is
labelled differently and is more expensive at retail level.

Throughout Europe, production systems with enriched cages (9%) partially address shortcomings on
animal welfare presented by conventional cages whilst maintaining their biosecurity strength.

The two different markets would need to develop different strategies to find the best compromise for
meeting their current demands regarding welfare of rabbits, farmers' needs and consumers' requests
without compromising the sustainability of the sector.

13
Based on available results of official controls performed by competent authorities, the sector appears
to be broadly in compliance with welfare legislative requirements.

14
ANNEX I

"Commercial production of farmed rabbits in the European Union" Project performed from April to
October 2017.

Main project components that have enabled the gathering and analysis of the necessary information
to draft this overview report.

1. Member States official response to questionnaire "Commercial production of farmed rabbits in

the EU" circulated on 12 April 2017. Data verification and validation checks performed.

2. Rabbit Farming Associations in relevant EU Member States response to questionnaire

"Commercial production of farmed rabbits in the EU, farming association perspective" circulated
29 May 2017.

3. Fact-finding missions performed in four EU Member States:

a) Spain : June 2017

b) France: July 2017
c) Belgium: September 2017
d) Netherlands: September 2017

4. Questionnaire sent by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) to the relevant rabbit
veterinary practitioner's branches on behalf of DG (SANTE) Health Audit and Analysis
circulated July 2017.

5. Meeting with relevant Non-Governmental Associations active in the subject of rabbit farming.
September 2017.

15
ANNEX II

Number of rabbits slaughtered in 2016 at approved rabbit slaughterhouses and sourced from
backyard farms, direct and local sales per EU Member State.

EU MEMBER STATE AT APPROVED AT BACKYARD FARMS,

SLAUGHTERHOUSES17 DIRECT AND LOCAL
SALES18
SPAIN 48,500,000 16,000,000
FRANCE 29,000,000 6,000,000
ITALY 24,500,000 4,500,000
HUNGARY 4,350,000 200,000
PORTUGAL 4,295,940 4,000,000
GERMANY 3,400,000 15,000,000
BELGIUM 2,876,572 300,000
POLAND 1,010,000 3,000,000
CZECH REPUBLIC 655,838 2,000,000
GREECE 336,801 3,000,000
MALTA 50,000 500,000
LATVIA 30,000 500,000
THE NETHERLANDS 25,000 100,000
SWEDEN 12,500 400,000
ESLOVENIA 10,000 300,000
CYPRUS 9,702 300,000
BULGARIA 8,556 500,000
CROATIA 4,177 200,000
LITHUANIA 0 500,000
DENMARK 0 100,000
SLOVAK REPUBLIC 0 1,000,000
ROMANIA 0 1,000,000
UNITED KINGDOM 0 100,000
IRELAND 0 100,000
LUXEMBOURG 0 0
ESTONIA 0 200,000
FINLAND 0 200,000
AUSTRIA 0 1,000,000

TOTAL EU 119,075,086 61,000,000

17 Data as provided by competent authorities of EU Member States, no responses received from Ireland and Luxembourg,
so their figures calculated on available intelligence. Calculated margin of error of available commercial data ± 5%.
18 Quantities based on percentages over total consumption provided by Competent Authorities of EU Member States, in

some instances amendments have been made based after verifications of data and further information attained. For some
Member States no data was provided and quantities have been calculated based on information from neighbouring
countries and data available on rabbit meat consumption habits.

16
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