Scientific Opinion Of The Scientific Panel On Animal Health And Welfare On "The Impact Of The Current Housing And Husbandry Systems On The Health And Welfare Of Farmed Domestic Rabbits"

Rabbit farming is a small-scale industry that does not have a major national or international representative organisation in most of the EU countries. Over 76% of the total production in the EU is in Italy, Spain and France, and home production is still widespread. The production of jointed and processed products is increasing rapidly compared with whole carcase sales and rabbit meat consumption, although less than other meats, is still significant in some countries. In the Report are chapters on the behaviour and biology of rabbits (3), statistics of rabbit production (4), and current farming systems (5). There follow chapters on aspects of farming that may affect their health and welfare: the housing and husbandry of rabbits and space allowances and quality of that space (6); nutritional aspects (7); reproductive (8) and weaning practices (9); genetic issues (10); and finally health issues and biosecurity (11). An attempt was made to carry out risk assessments which we have called risk profiles. Even though this is a relatively new approach for animal welfare issues, we believe the method is helpful to understanding some of the critical hazards that impact on rabbit health and welfare, in each of the above areas.In this Opinion, based on the scientific data as well as the experience of the Working Group's Report we draw some conclusions and make recommendations as well as giving pointers for future research. Overall there is a serious lack of information and scientific studies on the farming of this species compared with other farmed species, particularly on welfare. While there are few data on the types of rabbit farming systems it can be generally considered to be intensive with rabbits being reared in cages rather than being kept in large areas equivalent to a free-range style as with some other farmed species. The Panel recommends that such data be collected.Farmed rabbits are genetically not far removed from other rabbits used in laboratories or those in the wild and so their needs, the causes of poor welfare, and their susceptibility to disease is very similar. In particular, the Panel notes with some concern, that the mortality and morbidity of farmed rabbits seems considerably higher than in other farmed animal species due to enteric and respiratory infections, and reproductive problems. The breeding life of does is very short with more than 100% often being replaced each year.The Panel makes some recommendations relating to biosecurity, disease prevention, and therapeutic interventions including the use of additives, to reduce disease in growers and adult breeders. Breeding does may benefit from an easing of reproductive pressures caused by intensive breeding practices leading to a decrease in disease mortality as well as the need for earlier culling. All of these may help to improve this situation that would be in the best interests of both animals and farmers.In addition to improvements in health there is also a need to improve rabbit welfare by modifying both housing and husbandry practices. The panel has recommended increases in cage size and lower maximum stocking densities for growing animals, bearing in mind that slaughter weights vary greatly between countries according to local customs. The panel is also mindful that aggression between rabbits at certain times in the farming situation precludes them having social contact that they may choose to have. "Enrichment" of the rather barren normal cage environment for rabbits may sometimes carry the disadvantage of causing poor hygiene, but the Panel is convinced that more could be done to overcome some of these problems. In fact, disease status may actually be improved as a result of improving the environment particularly addition to more research being carried out into some of the common diseases. A better understanding of their aetiology would lead to improved hygienic and husbandry measures as well as therapies aimed at prevention and optimised early treatment. The use of floor mats and platforms (as is happening in some countries) may well reduce the incidence of sore hocks, another serious cause for culling animals, although hygiene has to be well controlled.The main problems holding back development and improvements in rabbit health and welfare is the lack of research and of a cohesive structure in the industry by which improvement strategies can be implemented at farm level.Specific risk profiles for disease and husbandry practices are included in the report and some of the associated conclusions and recommendations have been included in the Opinion.