3 questions to Alfonso Miguel Casado, President of ERA
Alfonso Miguel Casado is the President of the European Rabbit Association. He agreed on sharing his views on the creation of ERA and its role at European level.
Why has ERA been created?
ERA was born from the need for the rabbit sector to join forces and knowledge from all countries in order to defend the interests of rabbit meat producers and processors with a single voice towards the European institutions.
What are the main challenges you expect ERA will be facing?
The most immediate challenge that ERA will have to face is the one that comes from the legislative review that the European Commission is carrying out on the animal welfare legislation. ERA is defending its views by informing the European institutions and conveying the reality of how our sector works, the practices currently in place and the possible improvements that could be made. At the same time, ERA is facing the difficult task of influencing these institutions by making them understand why many of the measures that are being considered for the rabbit sector are not only detrimental to animal welfare, but would also mean the end of the sector.
What are the main assets/characteristics of the European rabbit production?
Rabbit meat, despite being the seventh most consumed meat in Europe, is a meat very much associated with culinary tradition. Its production is concentrated in countries where its consumption is historically traditional. At the same time, this production is closely linked to rural areas, being a key activity for preserving life in the countryside and in small villages. It is also the livestock activity with the highest percentage of female employment.
However, despite being a type of livestock farming associated with tradition and family businesses, there has been in recent years a great development allowing most farms to use innovation and be efficient.
