“We’re proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and we are fully committed to strengthening them further to ensure all animals avoid any unnecessary pain, distress or suffering.”

Boiling lobsters alive could soon be banned under new proposed animal welfare laws being chalked out by the UK government.

It comes as part of strengthening the welfare rights of crustaceans and molluscs in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which currently only covers vertebrates- animals that have a backbone.

The move follows pressure from animal rights groups, which led the government to commission an independent study last year on the available scientific evidence on sentience – the capacity to experience pain – in both crabs and lobsters. Results of the review have yet to be made public.

The Animal Welfare (Sentience Bill) is currently making its way through the House of Lords. Amendments in the legislation will seek to recognize that invertebrates such as lobsters, crabs and squids can also feel pain.

It will reportedly give these animals new legal protections, such as mandating restaurants and fishmongers stun or chill the animals before boiling them as a more humane method of cooking. Moreover, it will also be illegal to shrink-wrap or send live lobsters through the post.

‘Highest animal welfare standards in the world’

“We’re proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and we are fully committed to strengthening them further to ensure all animals avoid any unnecessary pain, distress or suffering,” a spokeswoman for the Defra said.

‘Wonderful’ news

Animal welfare charities have applauded the government’s decision to back the new legislation.

One of them is Crustacean Compassion, whose supporters include Chris Packham, comedian Bill Bailey and the British Veterinary Association. The charity has been campaigning for increased protection for lobsters and other shellfish species for several years.

Maisie Tomlinson is the co-director of Crustacean Compassion. She told the Times: “It is wonderful to hear that the government is planning to support the inclusion of decapods and cephalopods in the sentience bill.

“There is more than enough evidence for the ability of these sensitive, captivating creatures to feel pain and suffering. They undergo appalling treatment in the food industry.”

The practice of boiling lobsters alive is already banned in several countries including Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

• Read: UK government’s animal welfare action plan blasted for trophy hunting loopholes

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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