Activities of Karin KADENBACH related to 2016/2077(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits PDF (388 KB) DOC (66 KB)
Amendments (13)
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the majority of rabbits in the EU are kept in barren environments, often in battery cages; whereas rabbits are often housed in sheds containing 500 to 1 000 breeding females and 10 000 to 20 000 growing rabbits;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas in organic production systems fattening rabbits are kept in group pens with access to a small area of pasture at the base of the pen, which allows the rabbits more space, increased social interaction and more opportunities for natural behaviour such as gnawing on wooden blocks, eating hay, hiding in tubes and under platforms, standing on their hind legs, lying stretched out, hopping and jumping;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there are minimum EU standards for the protection of pigs1 , calves2 , laying hens3 and broiler chickens4 , as well as the general Council Directive for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes5 , but there is not as yet any specific EU legislation on minimum standards for the protection of farmed rabbits; _________________ 1 Council Directive 2008/120/EC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs, Official Journal L 47, 18.02.2009 p. 5-13. 2 Council Directive 2008/119/EEC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves. Official Journal L 10, 11.1.2009 p. 7-13. 3 Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens. Official Journal L203, 3.8.1999 p. 53-57. 4 Council Directive 2007/43/EC of 28 June 2007 laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production, Official Journal L 182, 12.7.2007, p. 19-28. 5 Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. Official Journal L221, 8.8.1998 p. 23-27.
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its concerns that the majority of rabbits in the EU are usually reared in unenriched cages, a barren environment that only has a drinker and feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pelletswithout fibrous material and the close confines of the batteryrren wire cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, to cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe in the EU is 60 to 65 cm long, 40 to 48 cm wide and 30 to 35 cm high; concludes that this means that rabbits cannot move normally or adopconduct normal posturesmovement such as stretching out, sitting and standing with their ears erect ( a ‘look out’ posture typical of the species), rearing up, turning around comfortably and hopping; underlines that this lack of exercise can also lead to weakened or broken bbones, stereotypic behaviour and footpad lesiones;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that there is a high rate of disease and mortality amongst caged farm rabbits, compared with other farmed species; considers that this high mortality rate is, to a large extent, due to the systems of management and monitoring presently in place within certain countries and the lack of interest in promoting genetic strains with a calmer temperament during breeding activities;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production in the EU are typically caged in small groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snufflesrespiratory disease and sore hocks from sitting on wire-mesh cage floors; is aware that investigations6 have shown that on some farms sick and injured rabbits are not treated and many fall victim to eye and fungal infections and respiratory conditions; notes with concern that the vast majority of these animals end up in the food chain, either as pet food or as meat sold to consumers in supermarkets; _________________ 6 http://www.ciwf.org.uk/our- campaigns/investigations/rabbit- investigations/2014-the-biggest-secret-of- the-cage-age/
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Underlines that more research into the group housing of does would benefit their welfare, in particular with regard to the time during which does have to be kept in separate housing and when to subsequently re-introduce them into the group;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Encourages research and development of more humane gas killing methods, preferably using inert gases; considers that parameters should be identified for effective electrical stunning;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Emphasises that reducing the use of antibiotics, and the positive impact that this will have on public health, can only be achieved if stronger emphasis is placed on the management and monitoring of rabbit farms;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Invites the Commission to encourage research in the breeding of rabbits from genetic strains with calmer temperaments and on the group keeping of mother does;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Encourage the EC and the Member States to support farmers developing higher welfare systems for rabbits under rural development payments;