The Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee will again debate the issue this session of rabbit meat harvesting.
As consumer demand for cheaper, locally-sourced meat increases, the conversation around the viability of rabbit meat – both economically and environmentally – is picking up again.
In 2022, two individual bills were raised concerning the processing of rabbit meat. However, any reference to rabbit meat harvesting was removed from one of the bills before it eventually got signed by the governor.
Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said in 2022 that he supported the proposal, and the inclusion of language permitting the locally-sourced sale of rabbit meat. He argued it would be beneficial for local economies and small farms.
According to Hurlburt’s testimony, the small-farm processing and sale of rabbit meat, without any unnecessary in-between steps, would allow consumers and local farms both to benefit. The section of the bill, which was removed, placed a limit on the amount of rabbits a farm could process within a year to 1,000.
During a public hearing on the proposal two years ago, several organizations voiced their disapproval. Then Executive Director of the Humane Society of Connecticut Annie Hornish said that there was “no public demand” for rabbit meat.
“A few years ago, the rabbit meat market was tested, and vigorous public outcry resulted in the discontinuation of the sale of rabbit meat by Whole Foods and other stores,” Hornish said at the time.
Another issue raised by opponents was a concern that consumption of rabbit meat would result in an outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2). Hurlburt said at the time that he did not anticipate “any actions of this bill resulting in an outbreak of RHDV2.”
Rep. Christine Palm, D-Chester, who serves as vice-chair on the committee, said in a phone interview Friday that the issue is a common one, and that it comes up every year now. While Palm said there are strong voices on both sides, she added it is too early to say if it will go anywhere.
