Rabbit breeding

Any person breeding 6 or more litters of kits in any 12 month period must be licensed. The requirement to be licensed applies whether the breeder sells or otherwise supplies a kit to be kept as a pet to another person. The requirement to be licensed as a rabbit breeder does not apply where a person is breeding rabbits for the purposes of personal consumption or in the course of commercial meat production.

Legislation

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, regulation 3 and Schedule 1, Part 6 of the regulations.

Guidance

This guidance applies in Scotland only, and is issued by the Scottish Ministers to provide details of the requirements of the new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, in relation to rabbit breeding

General conditions for animal activities licences

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021

Specific conditions for this licence

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - breeding rabbits

Fees

  • New licence - £205.25
  • Variation of licence - £153.95
  • Charitable discount – 50% (applies to registered Scottish Charities and SCIOs)
  • Licensing enforcement visit No. 1 - £179.60
  • Subsequent enforcement visits: charged at hourly rate of £30.45 in half-hourly increments
  • Veterinary inspection fees are re-charged in addition to the above

How to pay

Payment can be made by cheque (made payable to Argyll and Bute Council) submitted with your application to:

Environmental and Animal Health
Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
LOCHGILPHEAD
PA31 8RT

If you would prefer to pay by telephone or BACs please email  envhealth@argyll-bute.gov.uk with your contact details and someone will contact you to arrange payment.

How to apply

You can download an application form below, and either return it by post to:

Environmental and Animal Health
Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
LOCHGILPHEAD
PA31 8RT

or by email to envhealth@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Rabbit breeders application form (Microsoft Word)

Rabbit breeders application form (PDF)

If you have any questions, please contact Environmental Health by email envhealth@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 605519. 

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