Rabbits farmed for meat are among the least protected farmed animals globally despite being highly sentient mammals with specific welfare needs.
Farmed rabbits for meat production face the same fundamental welfare challenges as farmed rabbits for other purposes. Wire-floored cage confinement prevents all natural behavior including running, jumping, and digging. Wire causes sore hocks and psychological frustration. Social isolation in individual cages prevents normal social interaction. European production concentrated in Italy, Spain, and France uses predominantly cage systems. Higher-welfare alternatives including group housing on litter and park systems allow more natural behavior and are associated with better welfare outcomes. The absence of EU-level welfare legislation for rabbits means standards are determined by national law and voluntary industry codes. The European Coalition for Farm Animals has consistently campaigned for mandatory welfare standards for farmed rabbits.