Every year, 340 million rabbits are farmed for consumption in farms across Europe. Most of these animals spend their lives in tiny metal cages that prevent them from carrying out basic physical activities, such as stretching out, jumping and standing on their hind legs. Battery cage farming of rabbits is very similar to that of hens; the cages measure on average 20×35 centimetres and house one or two animals at a time. The floor of the cages is nothing more than a wire mesh that causes the rabbits injuries and problems with their legs.

Historic decision by the European Parliament

These appalling farming conditions will soon be a thing of the past: the European Parliament voted on 14 March, with 410 votes in favour, 205 against and 59 abstentions, in favour of adopting measures to improve the conditions of rabbits across Europe. "Today marks a historic turning point," declared Matteo Cupi, executive director of Animal Equality Italia, following the vote. "Confining animals in tiny cages for their entire lives is one of the cruellest practices in the food industry."

Animal Equality and popular participation

This success is also thanks to Animal Equality, an international organisation dedicated to the protection of animals farmed for food, and its supporters who, by sending more than 120,000 emails, put pressure on MEPs, urging them to vote in favour of this initiative. According to Animal Equality, "the proposal paves the way for the introduction of legislation that will consign battery cages for rabbit farming to the past."

Now the rules are needed

The vote did not in fact sanction the elimination of battery cages, in which the mortality rate of rabbits is extremely high, at between 15 and 30 per cent; however, the European Parliament has tasked the Agriculture Committee with drawing up minimum standards for the protection of farmed rabbits.