Licence conditions for keeping rabbits -NSW
NSW Rabbit regulations

1 Introduction

Keeping more than two domestic-type rabbits was made legal in New South Wales in October 1995. This decision followed closely the escape of the experimental ‘rabbit calicivirus’ from Wardang Island off the coast of South Australia, and opened the way for commercial rabbit farming in NSW. Prior to this, Western Australia was the only State in which rabbit farming was legal.

Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) has spread through many parts of Australia, dramatically reducing (European) wild rabbit populations in some areas. However, the wild rabbit remains a serious pest, and for this reason it is illegal to keep it as a pet or for commercial purposes. Other breeds of rabbit may be used for these purposes. These rabbits may be bred for their meat (e.g. New Zealand White, Californian, Flemish etc.) or for their fibre (e.g. Angora). As the vast majority of NSW producers are breeding meat-producing rabbits, these guidelines concentrate on meat-producing enterprises. However, the guidelines are equally relevant to fibre-producing enterprises.

Prior to October 1995, approximately 40 000–60 000 wild rabbits were processed per week for domestic and overseas consumption. The farmed-rabbit industry now has the potential to fill some of that market.

2 Rabbit licence

The Rural Lands Protection Act 1989 currently requires each person who wishes to keep two or more rabbits to obtain a licence. The Act requires that rabbits not be vaccinated with the fibroma (myxomatosis) vaccine. A rabbit licensing kit, containing an application form and relevant literature on conditions for keeping rabbits, is available through NSW Agriculture offices.

Rabbits must be kept in accordance with the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals—Intensive Husbandry of Rabbits. This is a requirement for obtaining a licence. The Code specifies minimum cage sizes and provisions for supply of food and water to farmed rabbits. It also stipulates procedures for the correct handling and transport of rabbits. It is therefore recommended that prospective rabbit farmers and any authority responsible for issuing an approval for rabbit farming obtain a copy of the Code.

In addition, other legislation may apply in certain circumstances to the rabbit farming industry, including:

All persons keeping one or more rabbits must abide by the following requirements, whether or not a licence is required:

The rabbits must be of a recognised domestic breed or hybrid of a domestic breed. In no circumstances is a wild type of rabbit, or hybrid of a wild type, to be kept at the premises.

The rabbits must be kept in a rabbit-proof enclosure.

The rabbits must not be released, abandoned or left in any situation which would allow them to roam at large.

The occupier of the premises where the rabbits are kept must allow the rabbits and the premises to be inspected at any time by an officer authorised for that purpose by the Minister, or by any employee of the Board, in whose district the premises are located, who is authorised for that purpose.

Rabbits must not be vaccinated with the fibroma (myxomatosis) vaccine. No fibroma vaccine shall be kept or brought onto the premises. No rabbit that has been vaccinated with fibroma vaccine shall be kept on or brought onto the premises.

The rabbits must be kept in accordance with the Code of Practice for Intensive Husbandry of Rabbits, produced by the Animal Health Committee to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management.


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