17:00, 22 November 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
Like us, octopuses, crabs and lobsters feel pain, distress and harm - but until now, this was not recognised by UK law. However, a recent study from the London School of Economics (LSE) has proven their sentience, leading to new animal rights protections in the UK.
Drawing on the research, the British government confirmed in mid November 2021 that it would broaden the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to include all creatures categorised as decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs.
Dr Jonathan Birch, associate professor at LSE’s Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, which drafted the report, said: "I'm pleased to see the government implementing a central recommendation of my team's report.”
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The report drew on more than 300 scientific studies of cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans to show that this part of the animal kingdom experiences many of the same feelings as humans and other animals.
“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,” explained Dr Birth. “One way the UK can lead on animal welfare is by protecting these invertebrate animals that humans have often completely disregarded."
The scientific review assessed the current commercial treatment of these animals. It urges retailers to stop selling live decapod crustaceans to non-expert handlers and slaughtering them in extreme ways such as boiling them alive without stunning them first. It also describes best practices for transporting, stunning and slaughtering these animals ethically.
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Welcoming the extension to the bill, the Animal Welfare Minister, Lord Goldsmith said: “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.”
Read the full report on the LSE website.
