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European Rabbit Association

ERA

Created in 2022, the European Rabbit Association brings together national associations and federations of professionals from Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, which are the main rabbit meat producing countries of the European Union.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Modernisation of the EU legislation for on-farm animal welfare for certain animals

15 Jul 2025

Please find enclosed the contribution from the European Rabbit Association.
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Meeting with Antonella Rossetti (Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen) and Aliénor

12 May 2025 · Presentation of the association activities and of the main challenges of the rabbit sector

Meeting with Valérie Hayer (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Mar 2025 · Transport animaux

Meeting with Eric Sargiacomo (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Feb 2025 · Enjeux sur la filière du lapin

Meeting with Stanislav Stoyanov (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

13 Dec 2024 · Exchange of views

Meeting with Benoit Cassart (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

12 Dec 2024 · Reglement Transport des animaux

Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

7 Nov 2024 · Animal transport

Meeting with Valérie Deloge (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

5 Nov 2024 · Défis du secteur cunicole

Meeting with Daniel Buda (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

4 Nov 2024 · Animal welfare during transport

Meeting with Maria Noichl (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

15 Oct 2024 · Animal transport

Meeting with Adrian-George Axinia (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Oct 2024 · Transport of animals

Response to Protection of animals during transport

10 Apr 2024

The European Rabbit Association (ERA) and all operators of the rabbit sector attach great importance to transporting animals in the best possible conditions. However, we want to alert EU policy makers on the significant detrimental consequences that the new legislative proposal will have on the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the EU rabbit sector; a sector whose competitiveness is already undermined by the fierce competition of China which produces more than 50% of worlds rabbits. ERA is convinced that achieving better enforcement of the current EU legislation should be the priority rather than adding new legal requirements. Moreover, the proposed Regulation includes provisions which will inevitably create more administrative burden at a time when one of the demands of the EU agricultural sector is less bureaucracy. ERA draws EU policy makers' attention to some key elements of the legislative proposal: 1) We call for a specific impact assessment to be carried out on the rabbit sector prior to any definitive decision as the impact assessment of the European Commission is only focusing on the main species. 2) The maximum journey time limit for breeding rabbits is unrealistic and will lead to the death of the European rabbit genetics sector and of the European rabbit sector as a whole. There are only a few genetics centers on the European territory and they are far from farms in order to keep genetic security. European genetics is also exported all over the world. Consequently, ERA proposes 48 hours as maximum journey time limit. Furthermore, when it comes to slaughter rabbits, the 12 hours should only include the time when the truck is on the road. 3) The proposed stocking density is far too low. Increasing space allowance will not provide more space to rabbits since their natural behavior is to gather in groups. Furthermore, the current vertical height of the containers is adapted to the needs and morphology of rabbits which can therefore remain in a natural and comfortable position during transport. Reducing stocking density so drastically combined with the increased height of the containers will lead to multiple negative consequences: a) Socio-economic impacts: It is estimated that the proposed space allowance will lead to a decrease between 30 and 40% in the number of animals put in each container. Combined with the new requirement on the height of the containers, this will result in a decrease of 60% in the number of animals transported per truck. b) Animal welfare impacts: If density is too low, the movements of the vehicle may cause the fall of the animals that may get injured. c) Ecological impacts: transporting less animals by truck will result in the use of 2,5 trucks instead of one currently, leading to more CO2 emissions, further use of water and biocides to ensure biosecurity. 4) Rabbits cannot be caught, lifted and carried by their legs for animal welfare reasons. Rabbits should preferably be caught, lifted and carried by the skin of the back. 5) ERA is strongly opposed to the provision laying down that suitable feed and water shall be available for growing rabbits in adequate quantities. Rabbits should be kept on an empty stomach during the journey to reduce contamination of meat during evisceration. Furthermore, it will not allow to limit urine and faeces falling on the animals placed underneath. 6) While ERA acknowledges the importance of ensuring animal welfare, we consider that requiring the presence of a vet at all loading and unloading operations is unrealistic from a practical and economic perspective. This will indeed require more veterinarians at a time when the profession is experiencing a shortage and will also lead to a significant increase in logistical costs. This is ERA's summarised position on the legislative proposal and we are available for more detailed information. Driven by a spirit of dialogue, ERA will continue to feed the discussion and to be proactive.
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