Crustaceans considered for Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
Invertebrates are not currently protected under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
The UK Government is considering a ban on boiling lobsters alive as a part of its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
The Bill does not currently cover invertebrates, however, if the Government goes through with the ban, it is likely that a clause will be added to the Bill, which is now going through the House of Lords.
This consideration follows requests from various animal welfare charities, asking for lobsters to be killed in a more humane manner than boiling them alive, including chilling them in the cold air or with ice, or stunning them with an electric shock.
The ban has been urged on by several animal welfare groups interested in sentience recognition for crustaceans, including the organisation Crustacean Compassion, who called on Michael Gove to protect decapod crustaceans in animal welfare law. This call was signed by several people, including celebrities such as comedian Bill Bailey, alongside scientists, veterinary surgeons, academics, and others.
The Conservative Animal Welfare foundation has also urged ministers to include crustaceans in the Sentience Bill.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
