Boiling live lobsters and crabs set to be banned as they’re ‘sentient beings’

The ban on boiling live lobsters and crabs moved one step closer over the weekend when ministers officially recognised all crustaceans as ‘sentient beings’.

An amendment to the Animal Welfare Bill currently going through Parliament is in the process of making it illegal to cause ‘needless harm and suffering’ to invertebrate animals.

The amendment published on the Government’s website reads: “This amendment adds cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans to the definition of ‘animal’ for the purposes of the Bill.”

This proposed law change would make it a criminal offence for any person who is responsible for a kept animal – including crabs and lobsters – to cause it unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare needs.

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This comes after a study conducted by experts from the London School of Economics concluded that there was ‘strong scientific evidence decapod crustaceans – crab and lobster – and cephalopod molluscs – octopus and squid – are sentient’.

Other research has also shown that decapod crustaceans have opioid receptors and respond to opioid painkillers in a similar way to vertebrates (animals with a backbone), which indicates strongly that they do indeed feel pain.

Both lobsters and crabs have also been known to demonstrate certain behaviours that shows their suffering, such as attempting to escape the boiling water.

Zac Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, said in a statement: “The UK has always led the way on animal welfare and our action plan for animal welfare goes even further by setting out our plans to bring in some of the strongest protections in the world for pets, livestock and wild animals.

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“The animal welfare sentience bill provides a crucial assurance that animal wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws. The science is now clear that crustaceans and molluscs can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation.”

Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed the move, with the executive director of Humane Society International/UK Claire Bass saying: “Recognition in law that animals like lobsters and octopus are sentient is a very welcome affirmation that this bill is underpinned by science.

“This is an important first step to establishing more respectful treatment of these amazing animals. Knowing their capacity to suffer we cannot now turn a legislative blind eye to some of the appalling things that are done to them, such as dismembering or boiling them alive.

“We look forward to working with government, industry, and scientists to agree and implement humane solutions.”