Animal welfare campaigners are calling on the Labour government to make 2025 the year that Britain finally bans the cruel practice of boiling animals alive. This issue has reached boiling point, with public concern and outrage growing over the mistreatment of crabs and lobsters.
Led by Crustacean Compassion, a coalition of activists, celebrities, and animal welfare organizations, including Compassion in World Farming, Animal Aid, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Law Foundation, gathered outside Westminster today to demand immediate action. They were joined by TV presenter Wendy Turner Webster, ambassador for Crustacean Compassion, who stated, “Boiling animals alive is a cruel practice that has no place in our society. Scientific evidence clearly shows that animals like crabs and lobsters can feel pain, yet they remain unprotected under legislation and continue to suffer needlessly. We are urging the government to take swift action to end this barbaric practice once and for all.”
Despite the inclusion of decapod crustaceans in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, these animals still lack legal protections. According to Dr. Ben Sturgeon, Chief Executive Officer of Crustacean Compassion, this is unacceptable: “When live, conscious decapod crustaceans are placed into a pot of boiling water, they endure several minutes of excruciating pain before they die. This is torture and it is completely avoidable. The science is settled, the public is concerned, and the cruelty is undeniable. The law must follow. The government has done little to protect these animals, but we can change that. Let’s make 2025 the year we ban boiling alive.”
Recent polling has shown strong public support for protecting decapod crustaceans. A survey found that 65% of people back a ban on boiling crabs and lobsters alive, while 75% support the use of humane slaughter methods for these animals in restaurants. The public wants compassion to become the standard, and so do chefs. Crustacean Compassion’s new ‘Kinder Kitchens’ campaign is working to help culinary professionals move away from cruel practices like boiling alive and adopt humane alternatives, such as electrical stunning which renders crustaceans unconscious before they are killed, preventing them from feeling pain.
As pressure mounts on the government to act, campaigners are urging policymakers to listen to the science, reflect public sentiment, and take decisive action to protect decapod crustaceans from needless suffering. With growing industry support for humane alternatives and overwhelming public backing, the message is clear: boiling animals alive belongs in the past and 2025 must be the year Britain leads with compassion and bans this cruel practice for good.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.