One way the UK can lead on animal welfare is by protecting these invertebrate animals that humans have often completely disregarded.” “The amendment will also help remove a major inconsistency: octopuses and other cephalopods have been protected in science for years, but have not received any protection outside science until now. After reviewing over 300 scientific studies, we concluded that cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans should be regarded as sentient, and should therefore be included within the scope of animal welfare law. “I’m pleased to see the government implementing a central recommendation of my team’s report. The move follows the findings of a government-commissioned independent review drawing on over 300 existing scientific studies which evaluated evidence of sentience in cephalopods (including octopuses, squid and cuttlefish) and decapods (including crabs, lobsters and crayfish).ĭr Jonathan Birch, head of the Foundations of Animal Sentience project, said: The UK government confirmed that the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill covers all decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs. HOW YOU CAN HELP AQUATIC ANIMALS: The best way to help aquatic animals like lobsters, squids, and shrimps is simply by leaving them off our plates and choosing plant-based food options instead such as Gardein and Ocean Hugger Foods.Octopuses, crabs and lobsters will receive greater welfare protection in UK law following a report from the London School of Economics which suggests that there is strong scientific evidence that these animals can experience pain, distress or harm.
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This has the potential to impact billions of animals every year and would mean that certain cruel practices, such as boiling lobsters and crabs alive, could be banned in the UK.Īnimal Equality is a core member of the Aquatic Animal Alliance, an international coalition of advocacy organizations and fish welfare experts from around the world who are focused on protecting fish and other aquatic animals. THE AQUATIC ANIMAL ALLIANCE IS CALLING FOR CHANGE: Animal Equality has joined 38 other animal protection organizations from the Aquatic Animal Alliance in signing a letter to the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), urging it to ensure that cephalopods and decapods are included in the animal sentience bill. Despite common misconceptions, there is a wealth of scientific evidence that confirms that cephalopods and decapods can feel pain which leads to suffering.
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The Government has set out plans for an Animal Sentience Committee, made up of experts, which will be tasked with ensuring this happens.Īnimal Equality has been calling for this crucial legal protection to be put in place since 2019, and the news is an important step in the right direction.ĪNIMALS EXCLUDED IN THE NEW BILL: Disappointingly, cephalopods, such as octopuses and squids, and decapods, including crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and prawns, are currently excluded from the proposed legislation. WHAT THE ANIMAL WELFARE (SENTIENCE) BILL WILL MEAN IN PRACTICE: The bill means that the welfare of animals, including farmed land animals and fish, will legally have to be considered when new policies are being developed. The UK Government has confirmed that it will enshrine animal sentience – animals’ ability to feel, such as experiencing pain, fear, pleasure, and joy – into UK law for the first time, through the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.