Par
Lisa Rodrigues
Published on
; updated Jan 22, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.
Animal welfare advocates are raising serious concerns about rabbit farming practices at a Carrefour supplier in Maine-et-Loire, France, alleging conditions that contradict the retailerS stated commitment to humane treatment.The animal protection association L214 claims the farm utilizes intensive breeding methods, raising rabbits in cramped cages and subjecting them to repeated insemination.
Rabbits Confined to Cages
Investigators from L214 documented rabbits living in wire-mesh cages, described as an unsuitable environment for their basic needs. According to the association, female rabbits are inseminated approximately every six weeks, and sick or injured animals frequently enough receive no treatment.
The rabbits are raised there in cages with wire mesh floors, a hostile environment unsuitable for their basic needs. The females are inseminated repeatedly, every month and a half. Animals are sick or suffering from painful injuries that are not treated.
These findings directly challenge Carrefour’s pledge that 100% of the rabbit meat in its “Quality Line” comes from animals raised outside of cages. “But intensive breeding does not only concern rabbits: each month, around 10 million animals are killed to stock the store’s shelves. To reach such a large number, Carrefour relies heavily on intensive breeding,” stated Ambre.
Demonstrators plan to display banners, including one featuring a large rabbit effigy, in front of the supermarket.
Carrefour Responds
The Carrefour group responded to the L214 investigation, stating they found the images “particularly unsustainable.” “Carrefour denounces mistreatment and all forms of animal suffering inflicted on farms,” a spokesperson said.
Carrefour sent an additional control audit to the site in the hours that followed, which did not confirm the information from L214 at this stage.
However, Carrefour indicated it has requested “the public authorities to carry out neutral and complementary controls quickly.” Pending the results of those investigations, the company will “suspend its supplies from the farm concerned.” Currently, 30% of the rabbit meat sold under Carrefour’s “Quality Line” is sourced from cage-free farms, according to the group.
