45 Amendments of Ricardo SERRÃO SANTOS related to 2016/2077(INI)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
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 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in Europe the majority of rabbits are farmed for meat production, with 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 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
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 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
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 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
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 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
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 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
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 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
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 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
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 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
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 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the domesticated rabbrabbit, like other species that coexist with hasumans, keept most of the wild rabbs elements of it’s natural behaviour, and intensivresearch therefore needs to be fcarming systems have severe negative implications for its welfareried 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 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
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 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
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
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 wooden 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 pasturetched out, hopping and jumping at the base of the pen;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
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 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
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 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
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 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there are minimum EU standards for the protection of pigs1 , calves2 , laying hens3 and broiler chickens4 , as well as the general Council Directive for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes5 , but there is not as yet any specific EU legislation on minimum standards for the protection of 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 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its concerns 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 ionly has a dr, health and welfare, inkter 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 behaviourlia), which would enable progress to be made in rabbit farming on the basis of scientific knowledge rather than unproven beliefs or prejudices;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
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 ratee 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 mand improve the welfare of farmed rabbity producers as possible, thus offering a wider range of products tailored to the various demands of individual consumers;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
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 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
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 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
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 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, to cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe in the EU is 60 to 65 cm long, 40 to 48 cm wide and 30 to 35 cm high; concludes that this means that rabbits cannot move normally or 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 bonesd quiet when giving birth;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, to cut costs and save space, a typical barren wire cage for an adult doe in the EU israditionally, 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 that rabbits cannot move normally or adopt normal postures such as stretching outs increased over time and arrangements such as footrests have been introduced, switting 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 exercish 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 imalso lead to weakened or broken bones' welfare and health;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that there is a high rate of disease and mortality amongst caged farm rabbits, compared with other farmed species;deleted
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concernObserves 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 paperdisease and parasites;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that rabbits can suffer from a wide range of welfare problems and diseases, including fatal viruses, 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 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
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 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
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 aggressthis system does not resolve problems of aggression and flesh wounds suffered by rabbits, or that of the need fors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litterreeding does to be isolated, and that, this being so, it is evidently necessary to encourage research programmes to improve welfare;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that transport is an 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 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
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 lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistancee 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 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
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 farminge 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 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
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 rabbits;deleted
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
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 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
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)
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 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
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 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Invites the Commission to consider pen systemscientific evidence and findings as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
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 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
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 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
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;