Boiling lobsters and crabs alive is ‘not acceptable’ and will be banned by Labour as part of its animal welfare crackdown
Chefs and adventurous home cooks will be banned from killing lobsters and crabs by boiling them alive, as is customary under Labour’s animal welfare measures.
The tradition of sending tasty crustaceans in boiling water is ‘not an acceptable method of killing’, says a new strategy published today.
And the ban isn’t limited to big-clawed crustaceans. Decapods such as prawns and prawns and cephalopod molluscs such as squid and octopus will also meet a more humane end.
This comes after the Conservative Party introduced legislation in 2022 ruling that they are all ‘sentient beings capable of suffering pain and suffering’.
But it has sparked anger among shellfishers and restaurateurs, who say it will cost their businesses more money and end the trade in live shellfish.
Other methods of human removal include freezing them or using electric shocks.
David Jarrad, chief executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, told the Telegraph: ‘If someone wants to buy a live crab or lobster, they’re not going to pay for it if it’s already dead.
‘In practice, there is an inherent advantage for the entire supply chain in taking the best care of the product without creating stress on the crustaceans so that we can get the best prices for them.
‘Our concern in the UK is that restaurants and hotels will import frozen seafood from abroad if they do not want to purchase stunning equipment which costs around £3,500.’
The tradition of sending tasty crustaceans in boiling water is ‘not an acceptable method of killing’, says a new strategy published today.
But the move, led by Environment Minister Emma Reynolds, has sparked anger among shellfish fishermen and restaurateurs who say it will add further costs to their business and end the trade in live shellfish.
This comes after the Conservative Party introduced legislation in 2022 ruling that they are all ‘sentient beings capable of suffering pain and suffering’.
The animal welfare strategy, launched on Monday, includes plans to tighten protections aimed at stopping cruel breeding practices such as puppy farming, as well as banning track hunting for fear it will be used as cover to chase away live foxes.
The proposals build on changes to the law introduced in Parliament last year, which crack down on puppy smuggling and introduce greater penalties for livestock of concern.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK was ‘a nation of animal lovers’ and claimed the Government had ‘delivered the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation’.
In the section on shellfish, it is stated that a guide will be published on what methods can be used in the humane shipment of shellfish.
Crustacean Compassion’s general manager, Dr. Ben Sturgeon said: ‘Recognizing the sentience of crabs, lobsters and other decapod crustaceans and banning inhumane practices such as live boiling is a vital step forward for animal welfare.
‘When live, conscious decapod crustaceans are placed in a pot of boiling water, they endure excruciating pain for several minutes before dying. This is torture for crabs and lobsters and is completely avoidable.
‘Humane alternatives such as electrical stunning before slaughter are readily available throughout the supply chain, ensuring that animals are killed quickly and without unnecessary suffering.’
