Rabbits and hare may soon land on your plate

At present, only ovines (sheep), caprines (goat), suillines (pig) and bovines (the cattle family including buffalo and bison) are included the list.

Rabbit and hare may become the fifth category of meat that can be legally consumed in India after fresh amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

PMO RECEIVED SEVERAL REPRESENTATIONS

A new category for 'Leporids' that refers to rabbits - both wild and domestic - was introduced after the PMO received several representations from Kerala, a state where rabbit meat is a delicacy.

At present, only ovines (sheep), caprines (goat), suillines (pig) and bovines (the cattle family including buffalo and bison) are included the list. This is authorised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which categorises animals as 'hygienic' or 'non-toxic' for human consumption.

Hilly areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the Northeast also rear rabbits for their fur while their carcasses are diverted to meat industry.

KERALA IS FARMING RABBITS FOR MEAT 

A senior FSSAI officer, who preferred to speak anonymously, told Mail Today, "We believe, several representations came to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last year. They said livelihoods of at least 10-15,000 families in Kerala alone depend on rabbit farming. It's considered a delicacy there. Restaurants claim it as a specialty. Their business was also hurt. The PMO referred their case to us and we decided to put 'Leporids' or rabbits in the list," he said.

Notably, a debate has already broken out on whether the small mammal should be allowed to be slaughtered. Certain States like Kerala and Goa have developed 'farm rabbits' over the past few years where these are bred and killed commercially, like poultry.

RABBITS ARE ALSO REARED FOR THEIR FUR

Hilly areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and the northeast also rear rabbits for their fur. It's carcass is then diverted to the meat industry. Animal activists, on the other hand, argue that the Indian Hare or Black-naped Hare is, in fact, protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They say it's inclusion in the FSSAI list is a gross mistake.

Only in 2014, FSSAI had clamped down on slaughtering and meat consumption of 'unlisted' animals in the southern State. It had issued strict orders against killing of rabbits, cats, dogs and camels following such reports. Rabbit farmers had protested against it saying it's the most economical meat available. A single female rabbit produces a litter of at least 20 in a year. Rabbit fodder does not compete with food grains meant for human consumption.