Farm Animals

Farmed Rabbit EU Reform Welfare

EU farmed rabbit welfare is a persistent welfare concern as proposed improvements to cage-free standards have faced repeated delays.

Key Facts

Over 300 million rabbits are farmed annually in the EU, primarily in Spain, Italy, and France
Conventional wire-floor cages provide no enrichment and prevent expression of natural behaviors
Rabbits are highly social but intensive systems often house them individually or in small groups
EU-wide farm animal welfare legislation does not currently include species-specific rabbit standards
Consumer campaigns have driven voluntary improvements in some retail supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Rabbits in barren wire cages cannot express natural behaviors including jumping, burrowing, and social grooming. Chronic behavioral deprivation represents a major welfare failure affecting hundreds of millions of animals.

What You Can Do

Support organizations campaigning for EU rabbit welfare legislation
Avoid farmed rabbit products unless certified to higher welfare standards
Advocate for cage-free rabbit farming requirements in EU animal welfare legislation