Rabbit battery farms could return to UK

A Guardian investigation has discovered that planning applications have been made for at least six rabbit battery farms in the UK. The first intensive farms since 1990s have been proposed at sites from Nottinghamshire to Cornwall. In each facility will be up to 1100 animals locked up in wire cages in windowless barns. The cages are too small to allow the rabbits to move around normally by hopping or running or to get any meaningful exercise. The rabbits will be sent to slaughter for their meat at 12 weeks old. The developer told the Guardian that the environment will be light and airy, with lots of space in there, and the cages are 18% bigger than required by law.

Some local people said: “They are moving away from battery farming in chickens, so it seems like a retrograde step.” Also the Compassion in World Farming think it’s time to banning these ‘cruel’ systems.

However, Kerry said the ability to produce lower cost feed has grown. Each year 3000 tonnes of rabbit meat was eaten in Britain and all of it imported.

Reaction:

Personally, I think should be forbidden. I really like animals and I think that animals should have lived a peaceful life when they are sent to slaughter. The local people are right about the fact that this is a retrograde step. It is not logical to start rabbit farms when the chicken farms have just been closed. If there is less rabbit meat, people can always eat other meat. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/29/rabbit-battery-farms-could-return