Review of Rabbit Production in the EU/UK

Official data on rabbit meat production are available for only a few countries. FAOSTAT estimates that 83.9 million rabbits (including hares) were slaughtered in the EU in 2021. EU rabbit production is concentrated in three countries: Spain, France and Italy, which account for more than 80% of estimated EU production. There is currently no specific legislation covering the welfare of farmed rabbits in the EU. However, some forward-thinking EU Member States have already enacted their own legislation setting minimum standards for rabbit production including the banning of cages.