EFSA Journal (Jan 2020)

Scientific opinion concerning the killing of rabbits for purposes other than slaughter

  • EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW),
  • Søren Saxmose Nielsen,
  • Julio Alvarez,
  • Dominique Joseph Bicout,
  • Paolo Calistri,
  • Klaus Depner,
  • Julian Ashley Drewe,
  • Bruno Garin‐Bastuji,
  • Jose Luis Gonzales Rojas,
  • Christian Gortázar Schmidt,
  • Virginie Michel,
  • Miguel Ángel Miranda Chueca,
  • Helen Clare Roberts,
  • Liisa Helena Sihvonen,
  • Karl Stahl,
  • Antonio Velarde Calvo,
  • Arvo Viltrop,
  • Christoph Winckler,
  • Denise Candiani,
  • Chiara Fabris,
  • Olaf Mosbach‐Schulz,
  • Yves Van der Stede,
  • Hans Spoolder

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5943
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Rabbits of different ages may have to be killed on‐farm for purposes other than slaughter (where slaughter is defined as killing for human consumption) either individually or on a large scale (e.g. for production reasons or for disease control). The purpose of this opinion was to assess the risks associated to the on‐farm killing of rabbits. The processes during on‐farm killing that were assessed included handling, stunning and/or killing methods (including restraint). The latter were grouped into four categories: electrical methods, mechanical methods, controlled atmosphere method and lethal injection. In total, 14 hazards were identified and characterised, most of these related to stunning and/or killing. The staff was identified as the origin for all hazards, either due to lack of the appropriate skill sets needed to perform tasks or due to fatigue. Possible corrective and preventive measures were assessed: measures to correct hazards were identified for five hazards and the staff was shown to have a crucial role in prevention. Five welfare consequences of the welfare hazards to which rabbits can be exposed to during on‐farm killing were identified: not being dead, consciousness, pain, fear and distress. Welfare consequences and relevant animal‐based measures were described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal‐based measures, origins, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are proposed.

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