Improving welfare conditions for rabbits raised commercially for meat production.
Farmed rabbit welfare represents a welfare improvement opportunity with a clear implementation pathway, as the transition from wire cage to park systems has been technically validated and is now being mandated in the EU. The welfare gap between conventional wire cage production and enriched park systems is substantial - rabbits in cages cannot express fundamental behavioral repertoire including jumping, running, and digging. The economic cost of transition to enriched systems is manageable, and consumer willingness to pay welfare premiums for rabbit products is increasing. The phased EU transition provides a model for global adoption.