Rabbit farms face prosecution over abuse footage

Sixteen Dutch rabbit farms may face criminal charges after undercover footage revealed severe abuse, including lifting bunnies by the ears and throwing them into crates, and euthanizing sick animals, according to junior agriculture minister Silvio Erkens. The disturbing footage, captured by Animal Rights, was shot at 16 farms that export live rabbits to Belgian slaughterhouses.

Erkens emphasized that the footage is appalling and unacceptable, particularly noting that some individuals appeared to feel justified in handling animals this way without the presence of inspectors. The National Food Safety Board NVWA has received a significant amount of recent footage and is currently verifying its authenticity.

If abuse is confirmed, the companies involved will be prosecuted. Erkens has also implemented new checks on how rabbits are caught and loaded, stages of transport that have been inadequately inspected in the past. He plans to report the findings to parliament by the end of the year.