Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has outlined plans for changing animal welfare laws – including banning rabbit hutches.

The party would put "a complete ban on cages for hens and rabbits" if they gain power in May's elections.

Rabbits have been kept as domesticated pets for 700 years – but that would all end under the Greens.

According to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association there are one million rabbits kept by 2.4% of households in the UK, making them the fifth most popular pet behind fish kept in tanks, fish kept in ponds, dogs and cats.

The extreme proposals come as part of a wider "welfare" plan – including a ban on importing exotic pets, puppy farms and keeping primates as "household pets".

Commenting on the Green Party's proposals, Rae Todd, of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, said: "It is reassuring to see at least one party take rabbit welfare seriously.  

"Rabbits are the most neglected pet in the UK and something does need to be done to raise their welfare standards. Other countries have welfare laws better than ours, where there are minimum sizes for housing and where it is essential to provide the companionship of another rabbit.  

"There's the other side of the coin with a sudden raise of welfare standards like this, such as the increase in pressure put on rescue centres when people realise that they can not provide a proper environment for their pet rabbit.

"So, whilst we would be very supportive of a total ban of rabbits being kept in hutches, it would need careful planning to avoid more welfare problems developing as a result."

Current polling puts the Green Party on just over 5% – with experts predicting they'll win just one seat.