Donate
News
Get the latest news and updates from Animal Equality

Help ban battery-cage farming of rabbits in Europe!

Next week, on January 25th, members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee will vote on a report that could pave the way for legislation to ban battery cage farming of rabbits.
20/01/2017 Updated: 06/03/2025

Every year, 320 million rabbits are slaughtered for meat in the European Union – and there are currently no legal provisions to protect them. This means that 99% of farmed rabbits are kept in small wire cages with little more space than an A4 sheet of paper.

Animal Equality has repeatedly documented the terrible suffering of rabbits in battery cages in Spain and Italy – where 60% of all rabbit farms in the EU are located. In Spain alone we have investigated 70 rabbit farms and 4 slaughterhouses and in each and every single one we have found evidence of extreme cruelty. Our investigators have seen rabbits with open wounds, painful eye infections and even rabbits whose ears have been bitten off by their stressed companions. Due to the crowded and unnatural conditions, up to 30% of farmed rabbits die or are killed even before arriving at the slaughterhouse – that percentage is higher than with any other farmed animal.

You can help end this cruel treatment of rabbits! In June 2016 we presented the evidence from our investigations in the European Parliament, along with Compassion in World Farming, and now members of the Agriculture Committee are discussing a proposal for a Europe-wide ban on battery cages for rabbits. If they approve the report it will be voted on by all Members of the European Parliament later in the year. Take action! The Agriculture Committee will be voting on the proposal on January 25th, and we need to let our key country representatives know that we want them to support the ban. Please take a few moments to email these UK representatives and urge them to approve the report and support a ban on cages for rabbits: Richard Ashworth MEPDianne Dodds MEPJim Nicholson MEPPlease don’t miss this opportunity to speak out against the factory farming of rabbits!

Latest News
Trout being bludgeoned to death
Animal Equality releases disturbing footage of animals beaten, stepped on, and left to suffocate at trout farm in the Cotswolds
26/08/2025
Animal Equality UK is calling for urgent legislative reform following the release of disturbing undercover footage captured by our team at Bibury Trout Farm in the Cotswolds, where trout were filmed being beaten with batons, mishandled, and left to suffocate by untrained members of the public including, on one occasion, a child.
Dead cow - Brazilian illegal slaughterhouses investigation 1500 x 1500
Animal Equality and Eurogroup report warns: EU-Mercosur trade deal threatens billions of farmed animals
12/08/2025
On 1st July 2025, Animal Equality in Brazil and Eurogroup for Animals launched a joint report at the University of São Paulo Law School, exposing the devastating toll that the proposed EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement could take on animals. 
Dead salmon (1500 x 1500 px)
A tender moment in a troubled industry?
29/07/2025
In a touching video where a salmon farm worker feeds a seal a dead fish, Animal Equality proposes a deeper understanding of how this act of kindness can represent a broken relationship with our planet and the animals who live in it, bringing to light the many flaws and cruelties in aquaculture.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on this website and offer you relevant content, personalised advertising and optimise our marketing. They also help us to be more effective in protecting farmed animals. By clicking "Accept all", you agree (revocable at any time) to the storage of cookies on your device. You can find further information in our cookie policy.