Farmed Rabbit Welfare in UK and Ireland

UK rabbit farming is a small but welfare-significant sector. Understanding domestic production standards and the import welfare gap helps consumers make informed choices.

Key Facts

UK rabbit farming is relatively small - approximately 1-2 million rabbits annually - compared to continental European production
Most rabbit meat consumed in the UK is imported from EU countries where welfare standards vary enormously
UK domestic rabbit producers typically operate to higher welfare standards than major producing countries
Colony or park housing systems are used by some UK producers but conventional cage farming remains the baseline
Male rabbits (bucks) are frequently housed individually due to aggression, a welfare compromise that requires management
Rabbit welfare assurance schemes in the UK are less developed than for poultry and pigs

Welfare Considerations

UK rabbit welfare has the advantage of a smaller, more scrutinisable industry compared to the EU's major producing countries. However, the dominance of imported rabbit meat in UK consumption means that consumer choice in supermarkets largely reflects EU rather than UK welfare standards. Advocating for import welfare standards - requiring imported rabbit meat to meet UK welfare equivalents - is more impactful than focusing solely on domestic production. In the interim, choosing UK-produced rabbit or avoiding rabbit meat reduces exposure to the worst EU production systems.

What You Can Do

Choose UK-produced rabbit when purchasing rabbit meat to support higher welfare domestic production
Ask retailers about the origin and welfare standards of rabbit meat they sell
Support campaigns for import welfare standards requiring equivalence with UK production standards
Advocate for formal rabbit welfare assurance schemes to be developed in the UK
Reduce rabbit meat consumption given the current welfare standard gaps across most production