Breeding rabbits encouraged in Mediterranean states by FAO

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is helping set up a network in the Mediterranean countries to promote breeding rabbits for food security, income, diversifying livestock and better using available feed resources.

The network, dubbed the "International Observatory on Rabbit Breeding in Mediterranean Countries," will hold consultations today and tomorrow between 14 countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, coordinated by FAO animal production officer Dr. Rene Branckaert.

Because of their size and prolific reproduction -- producing up to 40 offspring per year -- rabbits offer an inexpensive source of protein that can be raised both on the industrial and backyard levels, a United Nations press release said, adding that although there is a lack of training on breeding and the threat of animal disease in the region, religious and cultural factors do not present barriers to rabbit breeding in most instances.

"Backyard rabbitries are the perfect answer to today's demand for sustainable development projects," said Mr. Branckaert.

Egypt is the leading consumer of rabbit meat among the Arab states at a rate of 1.5 kg per capita. Global rabbit production is estimated at 957,000 tons, with China, Italy and Spain the leading producers.

Rabbits are easliy transported and marketed for use as food, and for their fur and skin

"Rabbits fit well in household production and can be looked after by women farmers" says Mr. Branckaert.