Farmed rabbits are among the least-regulated and least-studied farmed species. With hundreds of millions raised annually, improving their welfare is a significant opportunity.
Farmed rabbit welfare is one of the most neglected issues in European animal agriculture. Hundreds of millions of rabbits spend their entire lives in small wire cages unable to perform any natural behaviour — and this system is effectively unregulated compared to cattle, pigs, or poultry. The animals suffer from chronic stress, physical inactivity, social deprivation, and endemic health problems. Park housing systems show that rabbits can be kept in commercially viable group housing with platforms, hiding areas, and enrichment — achieving both better welfare and comparable productivity. Consumer campaigns and retailer commitments have driven some progress, but regulatory reform at the EU level is overdue and urgently needed.