Farmed rabbits represent one of the least regulated major species in European agriculture, kept in conventional cage systems that severely restrict natural behaviour.
Farmed rabbit welfare is in a similar position to battery cage hen welfare several decades ago - conventional systems are clearly inadequate by any reasonable standard of animal welfare, but industry inertia, lack of legislation and limited consumer awareness perpetuate poor conditions for hundreds of millions of animals. Rabbits need space to run, jump and perform binky behaviour (joyful running and leaping), exercise their strong hind legs, hide from perceived threats and engage in social behaviour. Conventional cage systems deny all of these needs. The European Citizens Initiative represents significant public demand for change - turning this into legislation requires sustained political engagement.