Eligibility and criteria

You need to be a well-known or notable food company that can satisfy the welfare criteria below, either as a current policy or on a five year commitment basis.

There are three types of award available:

1. Good Rabbit Commendation for meeting the welfare criteria for meat rabbits
2. Good Doe Commendation for meeting the welfare criteria for does
3. Good Rabbit Award for meeting the welfare criteria for both meat rabbits and does.

You can apply for a Good Rabbit Award in the following categories:

• Fresh rabbit
• Frozen rabbit
• Further processed or ingredient rabbit meat

Welfare criteria for meat rabbits

A current policy or commitment to achieve CAGE-FREE housing with the following conditions within five years:

1. Space allowance:
   • Minimum between 800 and 1500cm² per rabbit depending on group size and national legislation
   • Minimum pen length 1.8m
   • No pen height restriction
2. Comfortable flooring
3. Enrichment provision:
   • Platform(s)
   • Gnawing objects, hiding places and hay or straw provision
   • Dawn-dusk lighting schedule, with natural light for new buildings
4. No routine use of antibiotics

Welfare criteria for does

A current policy or commitment to achieve CAGE-FREE housing with the following conditions within five years:

1. Group housing:
   • Does housed in groups: individual housing during kindling and nursing is permitted
   • Measures in place to minimise aggression: stable grouping; opportunities to escape others; scoring and reducing the incidence of injuries; behavioural observation 
   • No pen height restriction
2. Comfortable flooring
3. Enrichment provision:
   • Nesting material
   • Platform(s)
   • Gnawing objects, hiding spaces and hay or straw provision
   • Dawn-dusk lighting schedule, with natural light for new buildings
4. No routine use of antibiotics

If you are a retailer, we will assume you are entering on the basis of your own-label rabbit meat in the above food categories, EXCLUDING any branded rabbit meat lines you sell.

Companies can apply via their engagement with the Food Business team and on completion of an application form signed at director level.

Where an application is made on a commitment basis, Compassion will remain in contact with award winners over the commitment period, to assess progress made and provide continued support. 

Click here to view the Good Rabbit Award supporting information sheets.

If you would like to find out more, please contact the Food Business Team.