The Labour government has announced a sweeping ban on the traditional practice of boiling lobsters and crabs alive, marking a significant crackdown on animal welfare standards within the shellfish industry.
Sentience Recognition Leads to New Rules
This decisive move follows the landmark 2022 legislation passed under the Conservatives, which legally recognised decapods and cephalopods as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and suffering. The new strategy, spearheaded by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and issued today, explicitly states that boiling these creatures alive is not an acceptable killing method.
The prohibition extends beyond lobsters and crabs to include all decapods, such as shrimp and prawns, and cephalopod molluscs like squid and octopus. The government has pledged to issue guidance on approved, humane methods for dispatching shellfish.
Industry Warns of Cost and Trade Implications
The ban has immediately faced strong pushback from the seafood sector. David Jarrad, chief executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, warned that the regulation will impose significant costs on businesses. He argued that requiring shellfish to be killed before boiling could effectively end the live shellfish trade in the UK.
Jarrad predicted that many restaurants and hotels would be reluctant to invest in expensive stunning equipment, which can cost around £3,500. Instead, he fears they will just import frozen seafood from abroad, potentially undermining domestic producers.
Welfare Campaigners Hail 'Vital Step Forward'
Animal welfare advocates have warmly welcomed the ban. Dr Ben Sturgeon, chief executive of Crustacean Compassion, described it as a vital step forward for animal welfare. He emphasised the suffering involved in the old method, stating that boiled shellfish endure several minutes of excruciating pain before they die – a fate he calls completely avoidable.
Dr Sturgeon pointed to readily available humane alternatives, such as electrical stunning prior to slaughter, as practical solutions for the industry to adopt.
Now, you can vote in the Daily Mail’s poll on whether you think the ban should go ahead. In Friday's poll, we asked: 'Should the Government block publication of trans guidance to protect women-only spaces?' Out of more than 8,400 votes, 69% of you said 'no' and 31% of you said 'yes'.
