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Study finds evidence that crabs can feel pain
The reserachers recorded brain activity in reponse to both physical and chemical stimuli.
Researchers call for more humane treatment of shellfish. 

Scientists have said that the way shellfish are killed needs to change, following a new study that suggests that shore crabs can feel pain.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, used EEG-style measurements to test the response of shore crabs to different stimuli.

Although previous observational studies had suggested that crustaceans might feel pain, the researchers were the first to study the brain activity of shore crabs to test for signs that they can feel pain.

Eleftherios Kasiouras, lead author of the study, explained: “We could see that the crab has some kind of pain receptors in its soft tissues, because we recorded an increase in brain activity when we applied a potentially painful chemical, a form of vinegar, to the crab's soft tissues. The same happened when we applied external pressure to several of the crab's body parts”

Although the crabs responded to both forms of stimuli, the researchers recorded a shorter and more intense response to physical stress than chemical stress.

Shellfish are not currently covered by animal welfare legislation in the EU despite being widely used in science and
aquaculture. In the UK, decapod crustaceans such as lobsters, octopuses and crabs were recognised in 2021 as sentient beings under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.

Lynne Sneddon, zoophysiologist at the University of Gothenburg, said: “We need to find less painful ways to kill shellfish if we are to continue eating them. Because now we have scientific evidence that they both experience and react to pain.”

The study has been published in the journal Biology.

Image © Shutterstock)

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.