2016/2077(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

- having regard to the European Food Safety Authority's Scientific Opinion Concerning the Welfare of Animals during Transport of 12 January 2011,

Amendment 10 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the majority of rabbits are farmed for meat production, with over 340 million rabbits slaughtered for meat ever year; whereas more than three quarters of all rabbit farming in the EU takes place in Italy, Spain and France, although it represents less than 1% of the EU's final livestock production;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Encourages the use of pen systems for groups, which are the most suitable system for rabbits because of their highly social behaviour; p~~Points out that the use of pen systems improves the welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst them; recognises that this practice should be encouraged;

Amendment 101 #

Stefan ECK, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes with concern that Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, which requires freedom of movement in accordance with the ethological or biological needs of animals, is not complied with where rabbits are raised in cages;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3 c. Underlines that there is a downward trend in rabbit meat consumption; notes that consumers increasingly demand rabbit meat farmed to high animal welfare standards, as well as origin labelling on rabbit meat products; encourages the Member States and the sector to make use of voluntary labelling schemes as laid down in Chapter V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers;

Amendment 103 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for the mandatory origin labelling of rabbit meat, thereby allowing consumers to make informed and transparent purchasing choices, while highlighting the provenance of the product and protecting it from unfair competition;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3 b. Encourages the use of EU support under the rural development programmes for a transition in the rabbit farming sector's production systems towards higher animal welfare standards; invites the Commission to consider drafting support programmes to this end;

Amendment 105 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3 d. Stresses that all rabbit meat on the EU market must adhere to high food safety and quality standards, and animal welfare criteria, including imports from third countries; highlights the dangers of unfair competition from third countries if equivalent standards and criteria are not applied to imports;

Amendment 106 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3 e. Calls on the Commission and Member States to safeguard the quality and safety of rabbit meat imports by undertaking thorough controls and inspections when these imports enter the Union;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Encourages the use of alternative flooring to slats, in order to provide greater comfort than plastic gratings or solid floors with litter;

Amendment 108 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Welcomes the establishment of the European platform on animal welfare, and calls on the Commission and Member States to exchange and highlight codes of practice on rabbit farming;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Points out that there is a need for further scientific research on the welfare of farm rabbits; invites the Member States and Commission to encourage and undertake scientific research on the welfare of farm rabbits and rabbit farming production systems;

Amendment 11 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas it is both important and necessary to achieve and maintain profitable rabbit production so that it can continue to help preserve the rural fabric and employment, particularly for women, in areas where other types of production are not possible, as well as continuing to offer varied, high-quality food to consumers;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Asks that, as is the case for other species, research be carried out to define alternative production systems, including organic production systems, so that rabbit farmers can opt for them on a voluntary basis and the diverse range of European consumers can be offered a wider range of products tailored to their needs;

Amendment 111 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that, owing to the absence of species-specific animal husbandry legislation for rabbits in the EU, the breeding of rabbits is highly intensified and its architecture resembles a high-output industrial production system;deleted

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 113 #

Michel DANTIN, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that~~, owing to the absence of species-spec~~ the breeding of rabbits in the EU is highly intensificed an~~imal husbandry legislation for rabbits in the EU, the breeding of rabbits is highly intensified and its architecture resembles a high-output industrial production sys~~d that the conditions in which rabbits are bred and kept vary, partly in line with the aims for which the rabbits are being bred and of the differing consumer requirements in the various Member Statems;

Amendment 117 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 119 #

Stefan ECK, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the rabbit farming sector in the EU faces a steady decline and the projections for 2016 point to a decrease in the market of 3.9% whilst the rabbit farming sector operates in the global market conditions and does not benefit from direct aid or market interventions under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy;

Amendment 120 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
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 adopt normal postures 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 exercishe scientific opinion delivered by EFSA experts did not call into question the use of slatted cages, because that system limits health problems, which are common in this species of animal, and makes it possible to isolate breeding does, which require peace can ~~also lead to weakened or broken bones~~d quiet when giving birth;

Amendment 121 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Points out~~Stresses that, t~~o 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 mean~~he size of cages varies according to the animals' age and weight, and housing systems that rabbits cannot move normally or adopt normal postures 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 bonesve improved over time to incorporate new arrangements such as footrests, with the aim of reducing foot lesions and improving welfare;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, t~~o cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe in the EU is~~raditionally, farmed adult does have had housing systems that are 60 to 65 cm long, 40 to 48 cm wide and 30 to 35 cm high~~; concludes that this mean~~, and the size of these housing systems tha~~t rabbits cannot move normally or adopt normal postures such as stretching out~~s increased over time and arrangements such as footrests have been introduced, swit~~ting 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 exercis~~h the aim of improving welfare and reducing foot lesions; takes the view that more research is needed with the aim of developing other strategies that will improve the can imals~~o lead to weakened or broken bones~~' welfare and health;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out th~~at, to cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe~~ere is still a great deal of uncertainty about the most suitable form of housing for rabbits, that further research ins 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 adopt~~refore needed into the ideal housing system, and that conclusions need to be drawn, on the basis of such scientific research, about how the normal postures of rabbits 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 bones~~, can be stimulated;

Amendment 124 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that in some EU Member States, to cut costs and save space, a ~~typical barren~~basic wire cage is used for an adult doe ~~in the EU is~~measuring 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 adopt normal postures 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 bonepoints out that some of the older models of cage used may have an unsuitable design by modern standards;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that, to cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe in ~~the EU~~certain EU Member States 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 adopt normal postures 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 alsometimes lead to weakened ~~or broken~~ bones;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
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 adop~~conduct normal ~~postures~~movement 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 b~~bones, stereotypic behaviour and footpad lesiones;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
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;~~deleted

Amendment 128 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
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;~~deleted

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
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;~~deleted

Amendment 13 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the European Union is the prime producer of rabbits in the world, ahead of Asia and particularly China, which, producing 417 000 tonnes of carcases, is the biggest exporter;

Amendment 130 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
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;~~levels of disease, and therefore often mortality rates, are higher among rabbits than among other species of farmed animals as a result of the species' specific characteristics, higher parasite infection rates (coccidiosis, pinworms, etc.) than in other species and the greater need for preventative measures, which are not as highly developed as in other species of farmed animals.

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes ~~with concern that there is a high rate of disease and mortal~~the high mortality rate that naturally occurs among rabbits compared with other species, wityh a~~mongst caged farm rabbits, compared with other farmed specie~~ loss of 90% of wild rabbits under the age of one year; notes with concern, therefore, the scant amount of treatment and research aimed at tackling diseases among farm rabbits;

Amendment 132 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
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; points out that EFSA already concluded in 2005 that the mortality and morbidity of farmed rabbits seem considerably higher than in other farmed animal species due to enteric and respiratory infections, and reproductive problems;

Amendment 133 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
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, because of the specific sensitivity of these animals, which is also one of their features in the natural environment;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
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 135 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~;

Amendment 136 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes with concern that there ismight be a high rate of disease and mortality amongst caged farm rabbits, compared with other farmed species, therefore more research would be necessary on this field;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Notes that, even in a natural environment, rabbits suffer from diseases and viruses which are sometimes fatal (HDV, myxomatosis, intestinal coccidiosis, etc.), which sometimes require treatment with antibiotics or remedies against parasites in order to prevent their dying out in the areas affected;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production in the EU are typically caged in groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper;deleted

Amendment 139 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas rabbit farmers and the sector as a whole have an interest in ensuring that rabbit breeding in line with the European production model continues to uphold the highest standards in the world with regard to food safety, animal health and welfare and respect for the environment;

Amendment 140 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meat~~Points out that, in its 2005 report on the impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had already warned of the higher risks to rabbit health arising from production ion the ~~EU are typically caged in groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper~~ground by comparison with cages, and welcomes the progress made by many producers in introducing improvements to the design of housing systems in line with EFSA's recommendations;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production ~~in the EU are typically caged in groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of~~are sometimes kept in old-fashioned cages which do not conform two ~~ordinary A4 sheets of paper~~modern farming requirements;

Amendment 142 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Exp~~Stresses ~~its concern~~ that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production in the EU are ~~typically caged in groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of~~currently indeed kept in group cages with slats and that, although this system is imperfect, it makes it possible two ~~ordinary A4 sheets of paper~~control health risks and monitor the animals' health;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Expresses its concern~~Observes that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production in the EU are typically caged in groups~~, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of~~ for reasons associated with the health problems suffered by this species of animal, which is very vulnerable two ~~ordinary A4 sheets of paper~~disease and parasites;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 145 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared ~~and fattened~~ for meat production in the EU are typically caged in groups, and are provided with a space per rabbit that is less than the area of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meat production in the EU are typically ~~cag~~raised in groups, and are provided with a small space per rabbit ~~that is less than the area of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper~~;

Amendment 147 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT

Motion for a resolution
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 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles 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/deleted

Amendment 149 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits are extremely sensitive animals and can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and infectious diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles and sore hocks ~~from sitting on wire-mesh cage floors; i~~, and that these health risks aware ~~that investigations6 have shown th~~limited thanks to very strict European health rules; stresses that, under the legislat ion 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 foodin force[1], sick animals immediately receive medical treatment, accompanied by isolation of the animal during its convalesence, or euthanasia if necessary; [1] Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection orf a~~s 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/~~nimals kept for farming purposes

Amendment 15 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas European rabbit farming is based on the coexistence of different production systems, and whereas rabbit farming is an important way of diversifying the income of many small farms throughout the territory, at the same time as providing a source of employment, in most cases for women;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of ~~welfare problems and~~ diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles 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; _________________ 6http://www.ciwf.org.uk/our- campaigns/investigations/rabbit- investigations/2014-the-biggest-secret-of- the-cage-age/considers that more efforts are needed to tackle the lack of investment and the lack of medicines, including vaccines to treat Minor Uses and Minor Species (e.g., aquaculture, bees, goats or rabbits); points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles and sore hocks from sitting on wire-mesh cage floors;

Amendment 151 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles 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 c and snuffles; is aware that little research has been carried out in these fields owing to the low level of investment, and this prevents rabbit farmers and veterinarians from havin, 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/g sufficient therapeutic tools to tackle the health problems that arise;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 153 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of ~~welfare~~ problems and diseases caused by breeding conditions, including fatal viruses, snuffles 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 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that, in those outdated cages, rabbits can suffer from a wide range of ~~welfare~~health problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles and sore hocks from sitting on wire-mesh cage floors; is aware that investigations6[1] 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, in the ~~vast majority~~absence of minimal farming standards and the strict monitoring of those standards, some of these animals can then end up in the food chain, either as pet food or even 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 156 #

Daniel BUDA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, snuffles 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; stresses the need for immediate action and the isolation of rabbits where there are indications of a disease; calls for increased investment to improve rabbit welfare, as well as for medicines and vaccines for domestic rabbits; _________________ 6 http://www.ciwf.org.uk/our- campaigns/investigations/rabbit- investigations/2014-the-biggest-secret-of- the-cage-age/

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, ~~snuffles~~respiratory 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 158 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Points out that nutrition has a high impact on animal welfare and animal health, therefore rabbits should have permanent access to fibrous food;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the importance of providing training courses for people involved in all aspects of animal handling in rabbit farming in order to ~~improve their performance and understanding of the relevant animal welfare requirements in order to avoid unnecessary suffering for animals~~supplement their knowledge of this type of farming, which is very complex;

Amendment 16 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas, with a mean consumption of 1.70 kg per inhabitant, rabbit meat is one of the least consumed meats in the Union (between 1 and 2% of all meat consumed);

Amendment 160 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Eric ANDRIEU, Nicola CAPUTO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the importance of providing training courses for people involved in all aspects of animal handling in rabbit farming and good practice guides based on reliable technical and scientific analyses in order to improve their performance and understanding of the relevant animal welfare requirements in order to avoid unnecessary suffering for animals;

Amendment 161 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that, growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter;iven that the space available for keeping rabbits is a significant factor for their welfare in both traditional and alternative housing systems, it is vital to expand the very limited knowledge currently available in this area, with a view to introducing measures that will help to improve welfare; further considers it necessary to study enrichment systems, such as platforms, so as to ensure that their design guarantees rabbits' health and improves their welfare; .

Amendment 162 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that ~~growing rabbits~~, although rabbits weaned for fattening and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, ~~social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggress~~this system does not resolve problems of aggression and flesh wounds suffered by rabbits, or that of the need fors b~~y getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter~~reeding does to be isolated, and that, this being so, it is evidently necessary to encourage research programmes to improve welfare;

Amendment 163 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement~~, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter~~;

Amendment 164 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, ~~social interaction and play,~~ and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter; recognises that this pen system will cause farmers to incur very high costs, which it will be necessary to take into account by providing financial assistance to farmers who freely opt for this system for raising rabbits;

Amendment 165 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement~~, social interaction and play, and that platforms i~~; underlines the need to encourage more research on pen systems, a~~llow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter~~s existing parks are still an unsatisfactory housing solution as the raising of animals in groups often leads to more aggression between animals with a greater risk of injury, as well as to a more rapid development of disease;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, ~~social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter~~but stresses the need to continue researching further into these systems, since existing park systems are not a very satisfactory alternative bearing in mind that rearing animals in groups often leads to increased aggression among the animals, a greater risk of lesions and the more rapid development of diseases;

Amendment 167 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement,; s~~ocial interaction and play, and that platforms i~~tresses that more research on pen systems ~~allow rabbits~~is needed to avoid aggress~~ors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter~~ion, injuries and the rapid development of diseases;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter; encourages therefore also further research into the benefits of alternative housing systems, such as for example pen systems;

Amendment 169 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Underlines~~Points out that growing rabbits and does kept in alternative pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas rabbit production accounts for only a small share of final livestock production, at less than 1%, and the sector is currently facing economic difficulties owing to the steady decline in consumption in the EU;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in ~~pen~~collective park systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
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 172 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Advises that male rabbits over 12 weeks of age which are kept for breeding should always be housed separately in any system, owing to problems of aggression, so as to protect other specimens also;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that transport is an extremely stressful experience for rabbits; underlines that rabbits should be fed and watered before transport and be provided with adequate food, water and space in transit, and that transport times should be as limited as possible, owing to the sensitivity of the species; emphasises that there are a huge variety of stress factors that affect animal welfare and that these differ between regions or even farms, such as heat, inanition, dehydration, pain and trauma, cold, motion sickness and fear;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that transport is an extremely stressful experience for rabbits; underlines that rabbits should be fed before long-distance transport and be provided with adequate food, water and space in transit, and that transport times should be as limited as possible, owing to the sensitivity of the species; emphasises that there are a huge variety of stress factors that affect animal welfare and that these differ between regions or even farms;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 176 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

Amendment 178 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that transport is a~~n extremely~~ stressful experience for rabbits; underlines that rabbits should be fed before transport and be provided with adequate food, water and space in transit, and that transport times should be as limited as possible, owing to the sensitivity of the species; emphasises that there are a huge variety of stress factors that affect animal welfare and that these differ between regions or even farms;

Amendment 179 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that transport is ~~an extremely~~perhaps a stressful experience for rabbits; underlines that rabbits should be fed before transport and be provided with adequate food, water and space in transit, and that transport times should be as limited as possible, owing to the sensitivity of the species; emphasises that there are a huge variety of stress factors that affect animal welfare ~~and that these differ between regions or even farms~~;

Amendment 18 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

B b. Whereas there is a clear consumer trend against the consumption of rabbit meat;

Amendment 180 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Stresses that the welfare of farm rabbits during transport and slaughtering depends on the attitudes and handling procedures used by farmers, hauliers and abattoir personnel, as well as the transport logistics;

Amendment 181 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that rabbits should be fully stunned before slaughter, ensuring that they undergo no suffering, pain or stress; recalls that slaughter ~~should~~must be carried out without risk of the stunned animal regaining consciousness; recalls that the development of practical research into slaughter techniques would make it possible to establish electric slaughter methods appropriate to the specific characteristics of rabbits which may be commercially viable;

Amendment 182 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that rabbits should be fully stunned before slaughter, ensuring that they undergo no suffering, pain or stress; recalls that slaughter should be carried out without risk of the stunned animal regaining consciousness; draws attention to the need to improve alternative systems to electronarcosis, such as stunning with CO2 and a mixture of gases, which are used on other species;

Amendment 183 #

Eric ANDRIEU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that rabbits should be fully stunned before slaughter, ensuring that they undergo no suffering, pain or stress; recalls that slaughter should be carried out without risk of the stunned animal regaining consciousness; calls for progress to be made in the search for alternative systems to electronarcosis, such as stunning with CO2 and a mixture of gases, which are used on other species;

Amendment 184 #

Michel DANTIN, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
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 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Stresses that the widespread~~Recognises the efforts of European producers to reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming; notes that the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming, especially in the intensive type of farming, t~~hat uses cage systems, can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance~~ends to be greater because of the absence of research into specialised vaccines and treatments; notes that greater efforts are needed to develop specialised vaccines and treatments for minor species such as rabbits;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the ~~widespread~~more frequent use of antibiotics in ~~rabbit farming, especially in the intensive type of farming that uses cage systems, can~~group enclosures, which are typical of organic farming systems where there are higher disease and mortality rates among rabbits as a result of lower standards of hygiene and higher levels of stress, could therefore lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses th~~at the widespread use of antibiotics in rabbit farming, especially in the intensive type of farming that uses cage systems, can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance~~e concern felt at international level at the increase in resistance to antibiotics, which is caused among other things by incorrect use in human and veterinary medicine, making it vital to move towards more responsible use; takes the view that rabbit farming is not uninvolved in this situation and must also make a significant effort;

Amendment 188 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the ~~widespread~~ misuse of antibiotics in rabbit farming~~, especially in the intensive type of farming that uses cage systems, can lead to an increase in~~ can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance, as is the case in the remaining areas of antim~~icrobial resistance~~al production;

Amendment 19 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ~~the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the central questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, especially with regard to~~housing, feeding, genetics, health aspects or optimisation of the emotional state of rabbits kept for farming purposes are vital questions for stakeholders involved in rabbit farming, and whereas the subjects under debate also concern animal welfare;

Amendment 190 #

Ulrike MÜLLER, Jens ROHDE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the ~~widespread~~ use of antibiotics in rabbit farming~~, especially in the intensive type of farming th~~ is necessary to ensure a high standard of animal health; stresses the importance of an adequate use~~s cage systems, can lead to an increase in~~ of antibiotics in order to maintain efficacy and to prevent antimicrobial resistance;

Amendment 191 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the widespread use of antibiotics in rabbit farming, especially in the intensive type of farming that uses cage systems, can, in certain cases, lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance;

Amendment 192 #

Nicola CAPUTO, Tibor SZANYI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Points out that rabbits are frequently kept in battery cages, with no concessions being made to their natural environment, and kept alive through heavy recourse to products based on antibiotics; stresses the need to ban systematic recourse to pharmaceuticals to offset the shortcomings of intensive battery farming in terms of environment and health; calls on the Commission and the Member States to encourage other types of rabbit farming such as the 'park' (indoor open pen) system, ‘improved’ barn rearing and organic rearing; stresses that these alternatives to intensive battery farming would make it possible to have less recourse to antibiotics, thereby curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance;

Amendment 193 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

~~15. Emphasises that abolishing the use of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health and would reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming;~~deleted

Amendment 194 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 196 #

Ulrike MÜLLER, Jens ROHDE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 197 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Emphasises that abolishing the use of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health and would reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming;~~deleted

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Emphasises that ~~abolishing th~~high standards of hygiene mus~~e of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health~~t be reached and maintained in all farming systems, in particular by means of the development of preventative measures and targeted checks; stresses that antibiotics must be used only for treatment purposes and wshould ~~reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming~~be followed by a sufficiently long withdrawal period to guarantee that the rabbit meat contains no residue;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Emphasises th~~at abolishing the use of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health and would reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming~~e need for research, development and innovation in relation to new medicinal products and treatments that will make it possible to improve rabbit health and welfare; takes the view that, owing to the lack of investment as a consequence of dealing with a minor species, rabbit farming lacks sufficient therapeutic tools, and public institutions need to make a greater economic and legislative effort to provide an incentive for such research;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)

- having regard to the European Food Safety Authority's Scientific Opinion related to "The Impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits" of 11 October 2005,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the central questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding~~, especially with regard to animal welfare~~;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Emphasises that ~~abolishing~~the gradual abandonment of the use of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health and would help to reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Emphasises that abolishing the use of battery cages across the EU would have a positive impact on the protection of public health and would reduce the use of antibiotics in rabbit farming, which would also have benefits for the health of consumers;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
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 203 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 205 #

Michel DANTIN, Eric ANDRIEU, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Gabriel MATO, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Pilar AYUSO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Calls on~~Encourages the Commission, in the light of the high number of rabbits being farmed and slaughtered in the EU and the severe animal welfare implications of the systems currently used for keeping rabbits, to put forward soon legislative proposals on setting minimum standards for to cooperate with stakeholders in the rabbit- farming industry to draw up guidelines establishing animal welfare rules for rabbits; considers that this method will make it possible to help rabbit-farming stakeholders to incorporate good practice rules in their proteduction ~~of farm rabbit~~methods on a voluntary basis;

Amendment 206 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission, in the light of the high number of rabbits being farmed and slaughtered in the EU ~~and the severe animal welfare implications of the systems currently used for keeping rabbits, to put forward soon legislative proposals on~~, to harmonize existing rules and to support national guidelines setting minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits in order to ensure a high level of animal welfare;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission, in the light of the high number of rabbits being farmed and slaughtered in the EU ~~and the severe animal welfare implications~~, to put forward soon a report ofn the ~~systems currently used for keeping rabbits, to put forw~~various farming systems and to develop guidelines in collaboration with the sector geared ~~soon legislative proposals on setting~~to guaranteeing compliance with minimum standards for ~~the~~ protecti~~on of farm~~ng the health and welfare of rabbits;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission, in the light of the high number of rabbits being farmed and slaughtered in the EU and the severe animal welfare implications of the systems currently used for keeping rabbits, to put forward soon legislative proposals on setting minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbitsconcern about the health and welfare of rabbits in the EU, to provide incentives for research, innovation and development in these areas in order to acquire more knowledge and hence be in a position to implement measures contained in the guides to best practice, as set out by the Animal Welfare Strategy;

Amendment 209 #

Michel DANTIN, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Gabriel MATO, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission, in the light of the high number of rabbits being farmed and slaughtered in the EU ~~and the severe animal welfare implications of the systems currently used for keeping rabbits,~~, to work together with all those involved in production to put forward ~~soon~~ legislative proposals on setting financially sustainable minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the ~~central~~important questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, especially with regard to animal welfare, while it is necessary to bear in mind that animal welfare is based on three other major principles: health, feed and the emotional state of the animal;

Amendment 210 #

Maria Lidia SENRA RODRÍGUEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 212 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Maintains that welfare measures should be implemented in such a way as to allow for the viability of farms; considers that further work on good practice guides and voluntary systems would be the most appropriate way to cover all of the welfare, environmental, and production characteristics existing within the sector in the EU;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16b. Calls on the Member States to pursue research and continue work with a view to devising welfare strategies suited to the production and climate characteristics of the individual regions;

Amendment 214 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Invites the Commission to consider pen systems as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;~~deleted

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. ~~Invites the Commission to consider pen systems as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;~~deleted

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. ~~Invites~~Calls on the Commission to cmon~~sider pen systems as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production~~itor and evaluate the state of industrial rabbit farming on a regular basis, cooperate with the individual Member States and organisations carrying out research in the area and base its work primarily on thorough, long-term research;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to ~~consider pen systems as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production~~provide additional support for research dedicated to rabbit farming; calls on the Commission to apply a positive discrimination of projects targeting minor species (e.g. rabbits);

Amendment 218 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to consider ~~pen system~~scientific evidence and findings as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the central questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, both with regard to animal welfare and from an economic point of view, but especially with regard to animal welfare;

Amendment 220 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to ~~consider pen systems as the guiding principle when proposing measur~~step up funding for research into the best forms of housing ~~requirements~~ for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to consider ~~pen systems~~scientific evidence as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;

Amendment 222 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to consider ~~pen~~collective park systems as the guiding principle and to promote the gradual abandonment of cage systems when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Invites the Commission to consider pen systems as ~~the guiding principle~~one of the possibilities when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;

Amendment 224 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Invites the Commission to set within future EU-level legislation, in cooperation with stakeholders, an appropriate transitional period to phase out battery cage systems in rabbit farming alongside a reasonable timetable with measurable milestones and regular reporting to, and monitoring by, the Commission;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Stresses that housing systems like park systems have already been developed to provide better welfare for rabbits, even though there is still a need for further development, therefore calls on the Commission to support research on animal friendly housing systems;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Calls for the immediate implementation and enforcement in relevant EU legislation, such as Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, of all scientific recommendations on rabbit welfare from EFSA and the OIE;

Amendment 227 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17 b. Believes that the requirements in Articles 3 and 4 of Directive/98/58/EC for "all reasonable steps" to be taken for animal welfare, and defining standards in accordance with "established experience and scientific knowledge", should be used to enforce the scientific recommendations on rabbit welfare laid down by EFSA and the OIE;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Points out that a balance must be kept between the various aspects to be taken into consideration, as regards ~~welfare and health, economic and social considerations and environmental impact~~animal welfare, the sustainability of production in the light of the associated financial situation, the working conditions of farmers, and lastly consumer protection; considers that all parties involved in the production process should be listened to in order to propose the best compromise between animal welfare criteria and these economic and social considerations;

Amendment 229 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Points out that a balance must be kept between the various aspects to be taken into consideration, as regards welfare and health, economic and social considerations and environmental impact; points out also that account must be taken of consumer needs for affordable, high- quality rabbit meat;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is ~~one of the central~~a questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, especially with regard to animal welfare;

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Points out that a balance must be kept between the various aspects to be taken into consideration, as regards ~~welfare and health~~animal welfare, the welfare of farmers, the health and expectations of consumers, economic and social considerations and environmental impact;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Points out that discussions about welfare will need to allow for the sustainability of farms with a view to preserving their competitiveness; maintains in addition that bilateral agreements must insist on reciprocity where animal welfare is concerned;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
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 233 #

Ulrike MÜLLER, Jens ROHDE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 235 #

Michel DANTIN, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that all measures should be harmonised at EU level by introducing specific EU legislation for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, including a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buyupports enforcement and harmonization of existing rules (including the use of common guidelines) in the EU rather than new legislation; believes in market-oriented European animal welfare and encourages the development of guidelines, aiming to help and train producers to implement the provisions of animal welfare in rabbit production, on a voluntary basis;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that all measures should be harmonised at EU level by introducing specific EU legislation for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, including a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buy, in view of the differences in quantities produced in different Member States, priority should be assigned to establishing guides to good practice to be adhered to by producers on a voluntary basis in order to work towards a harmonisation of European practices in rabbit farming;

Amendment 237 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that ~~all measures should be harmonised at EU level by introducing specific EU legislation for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, including~~provision should be made for a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buy;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that all measures should be harmonised at EU level by ~~introducing specific EU legislation for the minimum protection of farm rabbits,~~exchanging information for the purpose of drawing up good practice guides for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, taking particular account of the experience of countries where rabbit breeding is more widely established and including a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buy;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that all future measures ~~should be harmonised at EU level by introducing specific EU legislation for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, including~~taken at EU level should respect the principle of subsidiarity and contribute to the creation of a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buy;

Amendment 24 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the central questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, especially with regard to maintaining health and animal welfare;

Amendment 240 #

Georgios EPITIDEIOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses that all measures should be harmonised at EU level by introducing ~~specific EU legislation~~a guide to good practice for the minimum protection of farm rabbits, including a clear system of production labelling allowing consumers in the EU to make an informed choice about the rabbit meat they buy;

Amendment 242 #

Nicola CAPUTO, Tibor SZANYI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Points out that a European transparent labelling has not yet been introduced for rabbit meat, thus leaving national distribution channels open to non-identified external elements that do not always comply with animal health and animal welfare legislation; urges therefore the inclusion in European legislation of mandatory origin labelling for rabbit meat, in addition to provisions governing rabbit breeding and slaughter, so as to ensure greater market transparency, uphold quality standards and protect consumer health;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Encourages all Member States to come into line with the existing rabbit welfare provisions laid down by Austria, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom, in the interests of a level playing field;

Amendment 244 #

Maria Lidia SENRA RODRÍGUEZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Points out that the EU farm rabbit production is different amongst Member States; stresses that some Member States have already implemented national guidelines setting up minimum standards for farm rabbits (such as Germany); considers it important to ensure a level playing field for producers in the EU and towards third countries; calls on individual Member States to develop guidelines in order to both ensure animal welfare and to consider economic and social aspects of the sector;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Notes that the enforcement of compulsory measures to protect farm rabbits will entail substantial investment by farms and, bearing in mind the price crisis in the sector, calls on the Commission to implement economic aid enabling rabbit breeders to tackle that investment without jeopardising the continued survival of their farms;

Amendment 246 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Points out that any compulsory measure initiated will have to be backed up by the budget necessary to support rabbit breeders; also maintains that a specific heading should be included for the purpose of promoting the consumption of rabbit meat;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Encourages the Commission and Member States to support farmers who develop systems that improve the welfare of rabbits as part of the CAP's rural development programmes;

Amendment 248 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
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;

Amendment 249 #

Daniel BUDA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission to provide accurate and regularly updated EU rabbit farming statistics and to include rabbit meat in the European Meat Market Observatory;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the central questions discussed among stakeholders involved in their breeding, especially with regard to animal health and welfare;

Amendment 250 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Calls upon the Commission, in particular Eurostat, and the Member States to collect and produce regularly updated and accurate statistics on rabbit meat production and rabbit meat trade;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Points out that the promotion of animal welfare can only succeed in the framework of economically viable production systems and the EU rabbit sector is undergoing a deep crisis situation; considers that establishing additional welfare measures for farms at this moment would be unaffordable and would accentuate the recession in the sector, possibly leading to its closure in the EU;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20 b. Believes that European farmers and their agri-cooperatives aim to address consumer's needs and wishes, supplying sufficiently healthy and high-quality agricultural and food products at affordable prices; points out that, in order to do so, they need to remain economically viable whilst responding effectively to new challenges such as the growing demand for food, limited natural resources, the effects of climate change or the emergence and spread of new diseases.

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20 c. Strongly believes that individual Member States should be working with their farmers to develop workable and more effective solutions that would fit the specific production and climatic conditions of each European region, on a voluntary basis;

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)

20 d. Considers that discussions on animal welfare should take into account the associated costs of complying with legislation and the competitiveness of the sector; points out that EU producers have to compete with third countries that have different standards on animal welfare; asks the Commission to reflect on the possibility of re-launching discussions on animal welfare in the WTO;

Amendment 255 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 f (new)

20 f. Calls on the Commission to provide accurate and regularly updated EU statistics on rabbit production, market prospects & trade; calls on the Member States and Eurostat to provide for mandatory data collection of data for rabbit meat;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 e (new)

20 e. Considers that financial support should be made available to support farmers to implement existing provisions on animal welfare and for those farmers willing to experiment animal welfare measures that go beyond current mandatory requirements; requests, in addition, that the sector be included as a priority for European programs to promote the consumption of EU rabbit meat;

Amendment 26 #

Anja HAZEKAMP

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. Whereas there are grave concerns regarding the poor welfare, high stress levels, high mortality and morbidity of farm rabbits in Europe, as already concluded by EFSA in 2005; whereas some, but not all, detrimental effects on the welfare of farm rabbits are the result of poor housing systems and cages;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the majority of rabbits in the EU are ~~kept in barren environments, often~~usually kept in battery cages;, wh~~ereas rabbits are often housed in sheds~~ich can - and often do - vary from count~~aining 500 to 1 000 breeding females and 10 000 to 20 000 growing rabbit~~ry to country in terms of their specifications;

Amendment 28 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT

Motion for a resolution
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 29 #

Motion for a resolution
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 3 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)

- having regard to chapter 7.5 of the World Organisation for Animal Health's (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code on "Slaughter of Animals",

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas, since their domestication, 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 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

~~E. whereas the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare;~~deleted

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

~~E. whereas the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare;~~deleted

Amendment 33 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

~~E. whereas the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare;~~deleted

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare~~rabbit farming already complies with European rules on food safety, hygiene and animal welfare, which are among the most stringent in the world;

Amendment 35 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare~~scientific studies need to be launched to establish animal welfare indicators for the various types of rabbit farming, taking into account, among other factors, the modification of the behaviour of these animals in the absence of predators in captive production systems;

Amendment 36 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare~~, for the purposes of intensive farming, breeds of rabbit which grow quickly and early - formerly called 'meat rabbits' - are used, in particular commercial hybrids used in industrial breeding farms for the production of meat animals - rabbits bred especially for the purposes of intensive farming;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the ~~domesticated rabb~~rabbit, like other species that coexist with hasumans, keep~~t most of the wild rabb~~s elements of it’s natural behaviour, and ~~intensiv~~research therefore needs to be fcar~~ming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare~~ried out in this area and measures and conditions implemented during rearing to ensure as far as possible that rabbits are able to maintain this behaviour, provided that it is positive for their own health;

Amendment 38 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour~~, and intensive farming systems have severe negative implications for its welfare~~;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the domesticated rabbit has kept most of the wild rabbit’s natural behaviour, and intensive farming systems can have severe negative implications for its welfare;

Amendment 4 #

Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 d (new)

- having regard to the UK Government's Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Rabbits,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas there is a lack of research, development and innovation in relation to rabbit breeding (health, animal welfare, medication, etc.), which is a consequence of its slight economic interest for businesses given its low economic value and low level of significance in European animal production as a whole;

Amendment 41 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

Eb. whereas, up to now, there is a lack of sufficient research and information that would make it possible to resolve the challenges in relation to health and behaviour that arise as a consequence of rearing rabbits in groups and on the ground, and that compromise rabbit health and welfare;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems 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 gnawingat present European law on organic farming does not include any specific rules on rabbit production, whereas organic production depends on national rules, some onf w~~ooden blocks, eating hay, hiding in tubes and under platforms, standing on their hind legs, lying~~ hich advocate that rabbits be raised in group pens equipped with access to a small area of pasture~~tched out, hopping and jumping~~ at the base of the pen;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems where 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 jumpnd more space overall are a possible alternative to battery farming;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems 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, owing to the absence of natural predators, rabbits kept in group pens no longer necessarily display 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 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems 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; whereas, however, these group housing systems pose problems in relation to aggressiveness among the animals, as a consequence of bringing together batches of animals or keeping females with different litters in the same pen, causing lesions that affect their health and welfare; whereas rearing animals on the ground increases the problems encountered in controlling infections and parasites, leading to increased disease and mortality among the rabbits;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems 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; notes that health problems may also occur in group pens, such as increase of diseases, mainly transmitted by oro-fecal route and higher mortality rates, while negative social interactions (aggressiveness, fighting, cannibalism) are also possible;

Amendment 47 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems 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; notes that group pens suffer from greater incidence of health problems (increase of diseases, mainly transmitted by oro-fecal route and higher mortality rates) due to poor hygiene and as consequence of negative social interactions (e.g. aggressiveness, fighting, cannibalism....).

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas in organic production systems ~~rabbits are kept in~~are subject to a stringent requirements, with extremely expensive infrastructure, which do not currently allow organic rabbit farming to be developed viably; whereas even if group pens with access to a small area of pasture at the base of the pen~~, which~~ allow~~s 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 jumpingto develop in adequate space, this type of housing is liable to impair rabbits' health because of diseases communicated from one individual to another through social interaction and infections due to aggression and violence; whereas cannibalism also occurs among the animals;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
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 5 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas European producers are required to meet high standards of animal health and welfare that are not always compulsory in third countries exporting animals for slaughter to the EU; whereas consumers are becoming increasingly attentive to the conditions under which animals are being reared;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas, however, research needs to be carried out on the social problems posed by group housing systems, such as increased aggression as a consequence of bringing together batches of animals or rearing females with different litters, which may cause lesions that affect their health and welfare, and whereas it is also more difficult to control infections and parasites;

Amendment 51 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

Fb. whereas the European Animal Welfare Strategy argued that existing legislation should be fully implemented before introducing more legislation, and the development of guides to best practice should be encouraged;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

Fb. whereas research needs to be undertaken to develop alternative production systems such as organic production, that would exist alongside traditional production systems;

Amendment 53 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas, as in the case of other species such as poultry, research might be undertaken into alternative production systems, including organic production systems, that can offer consumers a wider range of food products and have hitherto been developed only to a limited extent;

Amendment 54 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)

Fc. whereas, at present, insufficient research and information is available to resolve the health challenges and behavioural problems that can arise as a result of the different types of rabbit farming, including systems where rabbits are reared in groups and on the ground;

Amendment 55 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)

Fd. whereas the sector’s low level of economic significance in the EU represents a strong disincentive for research and innovation aimed at improving rabbit health and welfare;

Amendment 56 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
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 rabbits; whereas Member States, notably those where the majority of rabbit meat is produced, apply their own legislation to cover rabbit farming; _________________ 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 57 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~despite the fact that there is no specific EU legislation on minimum standards for the protection of rabbits, whereas producer countries are updating their production methods without tightening up the rules or codes of conduct on animal welfare; _________________ 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~~ (OJ 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~~ (OJ L 203, 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. O~~fficial Journal~~J L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23-27.

Amendment 58 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
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 the majority of species, including 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 59 #

Motion for a resolution
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 no~~t as yet any~~ specific EU legislation on minimum standards for the protection of 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~~ (OJ 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~~ (OJ L 203, 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. O~~fficial Journal~~J L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23-27.

Amendment 6 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Nicola CAPUTO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas rabbit farming has been very hard hit by the decline in meat consumption in the European Union and the economic crisis in farming, and whereas sales prices have fallen by some 20% in three years, while production costs have remained constant;

Amendment 60 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
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 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

G a. Whereas more and more consumers and citizens across the EU are asking for regulation and better welfare for farm rabbits; whereas some Member States have national legislation for the protection of farm rabbits in force;

Amendment 62 #

Maria NOICHL

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas the ban on the conventional caging of laying hens under Directive 1999/74/EC is now in force and has for the most part been successfully transposed in the Member States;

Amendment 63 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas ~~only a few Member States have legal requirements for rabbit farming~~by virtue of the subsidiarity principle Member States may choose to legislate on their national rabbit production if they consider it necessary to do so;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas only a few Member States have legal requirements for rabbit farming; whereas in 2012 Austria has banned the keeping of rabbits in cages for meat production; whereas Belgium has legislation in force that aims to phase out battery cages and replace them with park systems by 2025;

Amendment 65 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas ~~only a few~~some Member States have legal requirements for rabbit farming and have developed guides to best practice in collaboration with the sector;

Amendment 66 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas EFSA's Scientific Opinion on Animal Transport of 2011 made a number of recommendations concerning rabbit welfare during transport: these proposals included ensuring adequate ventilations so that the temperature inside the crate is maintained within a range of 5-20 degrees Celsius; whereas the same opinion pointed out that time spent inside the containers during storage before slaughter should not be considered as a resting period but as journey time and that the need for better minimum space allowance should be studied;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. Whereas the EU has a negative trade balance with China with regard to rabbit meat; whereas 99% of rabbit meat imports into the EU originate from China; whereas Chinese producers will outcompete EU farmers, with adverse animal welfare implications, if no actions are taken;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas rabbit breeding is already subject to national legislation in those Member States where rabbit meat production is principally concentrated;

Amendment 69 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

H b. whereas EFSA's Scientific Opinion on Housing and Husbandry Systems of Farmed Rabbits of 2005 recommended increases in cage size, lower maximum stocking densities for growing animals and therapeutic interventions including the use of additives to reduce disease;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, likewise, account should be taken of the nutritional contribution made by rabbit meat and the role its production plays in family-run businesses, accounting for a significant share of jobs for women in many rural areas where there are few possibilities for livestock diversification;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)

H c. whereas the recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health's (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code on animal slaughter, including methods of stunning and knowledge requirements for operators, apply to rabbits;

Amendment 71 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)

H d. whereas Article 3 of Council Directive 98/58/EC on animal welfare requires "all reasonable steps" to be taken to ensure the welfare of animals, and Article 4 defines standards for keeping animals in terms of "established experience and scientific knowledge", which includes standards laid down by EFSA and the OIE;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses its concerns that 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 pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour;deleted

Amendment 73 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Expresses its concerns that rabbits in the EU are usually reared in unenriched cages, a barren environme~~Notes that more scientific research is needed into th~~at only has a drinker and feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pellets and the close confines~~e housing and natural behaviour of rabbits and into their ideal nutrition model, in order to reach a conclusion, ofn the ba~~ttery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour~~sis of scientific findings, about how animal welfare can be improved;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Expresses its concerns that rabbits in the EU are usu~~Notes that in the European Union rabbits are generally reared in ~~unenrich~~slatted cages, a barren environment that only has a drinker and feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviourwhich allows the environment to be sterile, keeping the animal away from soiled areas; stresses that these cages greatly promote the health quality of housing and therefore limit the risk that animals may become diseased or infected;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses its concern~~s that rabbits in the EU are usually reared in unenriched cages, a barren environment th~~ at the lack of research, development and innovation in relation to rabbit breeding (medicat ion~~ly has a dr~~, health and welfare, inkter a~~nd feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour~~lia), which would enable progress to be made in rabbit farming on the basis of scientific knowledge rather than unproven beliefs or prejudices;

Amendment 76 #

Stefan ECK, Anja HAZEKAMP, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses its concerns that rabbits in thsome EU ~~are usually~~Member States are still being reared in unenriched cages~~, a barren environ~~ which do not menet th~~at only has a drinker and feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pellets and the close confines of~~e conditions for optimal farming according to the blat~~tery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour~~est scientific findings;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 78 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Expresses its concerns that 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 pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour;~~.

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Expresses its concern~~Notes that rabbits in the EU are usually reared in unenriched cages, in a barren environment that only has a drinker and feeder; ~~also notes with concern~~stresses that rabbits are sometimes fed on pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour; recalls that, in general, the way in which rabbits are farmed in Europe meets far higher animal welfare standards than is the case in most countries outside Europe where rabbits are raised and exported;

Amendment 8 #

Angélique DELAHAYE, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas just as much account should be taken of the welfare of farmers as of animal welfare;

Amendment 80 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
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 pellets~~without fibrous material and the close confines of the ba~~ttery~~rren wire cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour;

Amendment 81 #

Anja HAZEKAMP

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Emphasises that rabbits, due to their complex intrinsic physiological and behavioural needs are not suited to a life in production systems; calls upon the Commission and Member States, in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to come forward with a roadmap which aims to phase out the keeping of rabbits for production purposes;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Supports giving a boost to research and innovation to improve rabbit farming in the European Union, whereby the EU would grant incentives aimed at resolving the health and animal welfare problems that may arise in the various production systems while at the same time promoting the profitability of European farms;

Amendment 83 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits exist which ~~reduce the incidence of disease~~ improve the welfare of farmed rabbits; considers, however, that these alternative systems still constitute niche production and ought to be yet further and substantially improved with regard to productivity and viability in order to meet European demand, because demand mfor~~tality ra~~ rabbit meat from park systems ~~and improve the welfare of farmed rabbits~~remains limited by the impact of the additional production costs on the price charged to the consumer; recalls in this context that an organic rabbit farm produces some 500 rabbits per annum, whereas a conventional one produces 40 000;

Amendment 84 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges th~~at in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits exist which reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rate~~e need to continue researching into alternative production systems to resolve the health and behavioural challenges that rabbit farming needs to tackle so that these systems can be used voluntarily by as man~~d improve the welfare of farmed rabbit~~y producers as possible, thus offering a wider range of products tailored to the various demands of individual consumers;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Acknowledg~~Notes that in some Member States alternatives to ~~barren-~~cage farming of rabbits exist which ~~reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the welfare of farmed rabbit~~could be developed as production systems that would be available alongside conventional farming models;

Amendment 86 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to ~~barren-~~cage farming of rabbits exist ~~which reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the welfare of farmed rabbits~~;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits exist ~~which reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the welfare of farmed rabbits~~;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits exist, such as open-air park farming or hutch systems, with grass as the main feed, which reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the comfort and welfare of farmed rabbits;

Amendment 89 #

Eric ANDRIEU, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits ~~exist~~are being successfully attempted which reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the welfare of farmed rabbits;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas in Europe the majority of rabbits are farmed for meat production, w~~ith over 340 million rabbits slaughtered for meat ever year;~~hich amounts to some 648 000 tonnes of carcases, whereas more than three quarters of all rabbit farming ~~in the EU~~ takes place in Italy, Spain and France and whereas rabbit farming represents less than 1% of final livestock production in the EU;

Amendment 90 #

Philippe LOISEAU, Edouard FERRAND, Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that in some Member States alternatives to barren-cage farming of rabbits exist which, in certain cases, reduce the incidence of disease and mortality rates and improve the welfare of farmed rabbits;

Amendment 91 #

Michel DANTIN, Gabriel MATO, Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Eric ANDRIEU, Angélique DELAHAYE, Pilar AYUSO, Jean ARTHUIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the use of pen systems for groups, which are the most suitable system for rabbits because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems improves the welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst themdevelopment of research and innovation in rabbit-rearing systems, as the group pen system is not a satisfactory solution because it promotes aggression between individuals and may create health problems because of the risk of injuries and infections; stresses furthermore that housing is not the only criterion for animal welfare and that animal health also depends on two important farming practices, namely the ambient conditions of buildings and the development of adequate prophylaxis;

Amendment 92 #

Esther HERRANZ GARCÍA, Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO, Gabriel MATO, Pilar AYUSO, Michel DANTIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the use of ~~pen systems for groups, which are the most suitable system for rabbits because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems~~guides to best practice to improves the ~~welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst th~~health and welfare of both animals reared in cages and those reared in pen systems;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 94 #

Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS, Eric ANDRIEU, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages ~~the use of pen systems for groups, which are the most suitable~~further research into housing systems for rabbits ~~because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems~~in order to further improves the animal welfare ~~of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst the~~situation in this sector in the long term;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the use of pen systems for groups, which are the most suitable system for rabbits because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems improves the welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst themresearch, development and innovation in relation to rabbit welfare, including individual and group housing systems, with the aim of gaining better knowledge and making it possible to implement improvements to farms while at the same time guaranteeing their sustainability;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the research on the use of pen systems for groups, which ~~are the most~~might be a suitable system for rabbits because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems improves the welfare of farm rabbits ~~and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst them~~but might lead to more aggression and greater risk of injury;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the use of ~~pen systems for group~~collective park systems, which are the most suitable system for rabbits ~~because of their highly social behaviour; points out that the use of pen systems improves the welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence~~for fattening because they allow more generous living space, permitting social and locomotive behaviour; points out that the use of collective park systems, which is associated with better farming practices that reduce stress, improves the welfare of farm rabbits and consequently helps to place rabbit farming ofn a~~bnormal behaviour amongst them~~ trajectory towards quality production;

Amendment 99 #