Written question asked by Richard Burden (Labour) on Thursday, 18 January 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 January 2018. It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 January 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rabbits: Animal Welfare

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in ensuring protection for the welfare of domestic rabbits.

Answer: We have not carried out any specific assessment of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to rabbits. However, when the 2006 Act was reviewed in 2010 and when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs carried out its review “Animal Welfare in England: Domestic Pets” there were no specific recommendations made relating to rabbits. New regulations on the sale of pet animals including rabbits will include a requirement that all licensed sellers must provide information about the animals on sale. New guidance will accompany the new regulations which will provide minimum enclosure sizes for all licensed sellers of rabbits.

Secondary information