40 Amendments of Gabriel MATO 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 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
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 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
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 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the housing of rabbits kept for farming purposes is one of the centralimportant 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 25 #
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 animal health and welfare;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
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 welfarerabbit farming already complies with European rules on food safety, hygiene and animal welfare, which are among the most stringent in the world;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
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 welfarescientific 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 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas in organic production systems rabbits are kept inare 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 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 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 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
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 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
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 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
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 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)
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 59 #
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 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. Official JournalJ L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23-27.
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas only a fewsome Member States have legal requirements for rabbit farming and have developed guides to best practice in collaboration with the sector;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its concerns that rabbits in the EU are usuNotes that in the European Union rabbits are generally reared in unenrichslatted 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 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
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 #
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 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 mfortality ra rabbit meat from park systems and improve the welfare of farmed rabbitsremains 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 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. AcknowledgNotes 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 rabbitcould be developed as production systems that would be available alongside conventional farming models;
Amendment 91 #
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 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 #
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 systemsguides to best practice to improves the welfare of farm rabbits and reduces the incidence of abnormal behaviour amongst thhealth and welfare of both animals reared in cages and those reared in pen systems;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points outStresses 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 meanhe 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 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that there is a high rate of disease and mortalthe high mortality rate that naturally occurs among rabbits compared with other species, wityh amongst 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 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its concern that rabbits reared and fattened for meatPoints 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 paperground 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 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
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 thlimited 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 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/nimals kept for farming purposes
Amendment 152 #
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 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/, and is aware that little research has been carried out in these fields owing to the low level of investment, which means that few therapeutic tools are available to rabbit farmers and veterinarians;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
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 163 #
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;
Amendment 166 #
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 litterbut 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 177 #
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 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 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that rabbits should be fully stunned before slaughter, ensuring that they undergo no suffering, pain or stress; recalls that slaughter shouldmust 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 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
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 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
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 antimicrobial resistanceal production;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls onEncourages 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 rabbitmethods on a voluntary basis;
Amendment 207 #
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, to put forward soon a report ofn the systems currently used for keeping rabbits, to put forwvarious farming systems and to develop guidelines in collaboration with the sector geared soon legislative proposals on settingto guaranteeing compliance with minimum standards for the protection of farmng the health and welfare of rabbits;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Invites the Commission to consider pen systemsscientific evidence as the guiding principle when proposing measures for housing requirements for breeding does and for rabbits reared for meat production;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
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 impactanimal 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 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that all measures should be harmonised at EU level by introducing specific EU legislationa 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;