The Bunnies Need Your Voice!!
If you, like us, know rabbits as companion animals you may share our concern over the development of the rabbit meat industry. We became concerned about the growth of this industry here in Alabama when the Birmingham News ran an article on this subject in June of 2004. The article discussed the marketing of Alabama rabbit meat to cruise lines, and Ron Sparks, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, was quoted as saying: "Developing the rabbit industry is one of my top priorities and I am committed that we see this project through and that we open a new market for our Alabama farmers and their products."
- We are sorry to report that the situation has worsened. On June 21st, 2006 an article in the Birmingham News by Jo Ellen O'Hara again highlighted the growing rabbit meat industry in Alabama.
- Although the article briefly mentions that some people may have objections to eating rabbit, it goes on to discuss the efforts of the Tri-State Rabbit Growers Association and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to develop the rabbit meat industry. There are also glowing reports of the restaurants in Birmingham which offer rabbit dishes on their menus, and recipes for rabbit. Butch Smathers of Western Supermarkets (which recently advertised "Farm Fresh Cut Up Rabbit" for $3.99 a pound) was quoted as saying that sales of rabbit meat "has been picking up."
- The article does not mention that the USDA has classified rabbits as poultry, which means that they are not covered under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Apparently, this allows them to be slaughtered while fully conscious. For more information on this issue, and where to write letters of protest, please see Rabbits as Poultry. To participate in an online petition click here.
- We urge people who love rabbits as companion animals to voice their concern now, before rabbit meat becomes popular. Do we really want to see a time when every supermarket carries cut up rabbits next to the beef and chicken? If Ron Sparks and the ADAI have their way, this day will come.
- The bunnies need your voice - they cannot speak for themselves! Please politely but firmly let Mr. Sparks and the Birmingham News know how you (and your bunnies!) feel on this issue. Paper letters are best, but even an email will have an effect. For sample letters you may personalize and send click here.
- Mike Cornett has been appointed by the USDA to serve as resource, conservation and development coordinator for the Tri-State Rabbit Growers Association.
- Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, which recently gave an award of $10,000 to Jean Grayson, who is apparently affiliated with the Tri-State Rabbit Growers Association, for her project "FSO6-202 Small Scale Rabbit, Production, and Marketing". You can read more about this by clicking here.
- If you have first-hand knowledge of a grocery store or market that sells rabbit meat please let us know.
Western Supermarket sells rabbit meat, and features rabbit dishes in their food demonstrations. You can use the "contact us" form found here or write to their main address: - The following establishments were mentioned in the Birmingham News article as featuring rabbit dishes on their menus. If you have first-hand knowledge of restaurant serving rabbit meat please let us know.
- Finally, Princess Cruise Lines, our original concern, is apparently still serving rabbit on its cruise line menu. For a sample letter please click here.
Ron Sparks, Commissioner
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
PO Box 3336
Montgomery, AL 36109-0336
fax: 1-334-240-7190
Editor, Birmingham News
2200 Fourth Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
If you have time, please consider also writing to the following people and establishments which support the rabbit meat industry. You can find sample letters here.
Mike Cornett USDA
Tombigbee RC&D
1118 Greensboro Avenue
Federal Building Room 233
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-2896
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education - Southern Region
University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University
Jeff Jordan, Coordinator
Agricultural Experiment Station
Griffin, GA 30223-1797
fax: 770-412-4789
The Bunnies Need Your Voice--Rabbit Meat in Grocery Stores
Ken Hubbard, President
Butch Smathers, Vice President of Merchandising
Western Supermarket
2614 - 19th Street South
Homewood, AL 35209
The Bunnies Need Your Voice--Rabbit Meat in Restaurants
Culinard - Culinary Institute of Virginia College
Antony Osborne, Dean
195 Vulcan Road
Birmingham, AL 35209
Hot and Hot Fish Club
Chris and Idie Hastings, Owners
2180 11th Court Street
Birmingham, AL 35205
Botega
Frank Stitt, Owner
2240 Highland Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Alan Buckelew, President
Princess Cruises
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, California 91355