Hop and skip for rabbit meat

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Shadow Minister of Education Ronnie Thwaites is proposing that rabbit meat be used to supplement the diet of students. This is an excellent suggestion.

Since we tend to take our cue from whatever is happening in the US, let me start there. In the 1940s and ‘50s, rabbit meat was as popular as chicken is today. During the depression, it was rabbit meat that enabled many families to survive.

Then Big AGRA stepped in with their accountants who even with glasses - can only see the bottom line. Government was endorsing the use of chemicals and giving handouts because the chicken lobby was powerful in Congress. Suddenly, rabbits were forgotten. Here is some of what we have forgotten about rabbits;

1. High percentage of easily digestible protein. (21g per 100g)

2. Least amount of fat among all available meats.

3. Almost cholesterol free and heart-patient friendly.

4. Calcium and phosphorus contents more than any other meat.

5. Ratio of bone to meat content higher than chicken.

6. Can produce 6lb meat on the same feed and water that a cow will produce 1lb of meat.

7. Excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. High in vitamins B3 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

The top six rabbit meatimporting countries are:

1. Belgium (7,000 tonnes) 2. Germany (6,000 tonnes) 3. France (4,000 tonnes) 4. Italy (3,000 tonnes) 5. Portugal 3,000 tonnes 6. Netherlands (2,000 tonnes)

Is it lost on anyone that these are not ‘chicken back’ countries, but developed countries?

I would like to thank Mr Thwaites for this sensible suggestion.