Crustacean Compassion Criticizes UK Seafood Industry’s New Voluntary Codes for Failing to Protect Decapod Crustaceans
London, UK – Animal welfare organization Crustacean Compassion has spoken out against the UK seafood industry’s newly released voluntary codes of practice, which they say do not adequately protect crabs, lobsters, and prawns from inhumane treatment and death.
These new codes of practice, developed by industry bodies, were eagerly awaited after the UK Government legally recognized the ability of decapod crustaceans to feel pain in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act of 2022. However, Crustacean Compassion argues that the codes, released on Friday, August 2nd, fall short of protecting these sentient creatures and instead are a missed opportunity to improve animal welfare and enhance the reputation of UK seafood.
According to the organization, the codes allow for cruel practices that cause immense suffering, including boiling alive, freezing to death, tearing animals apart while still alive, removal of claws, cutting of tendons to immobilize claws, and the sale of live decapods to the public. While the codes do outline some best practices, they are voluntary and not mandatory for companies to follow. This means that millions of vulnerable animals will continue to suffer every year, even at the hands of home cooks.
Dr. Ben Sturgeon, CEO of Crustacean Compassion, stated, “The seafood industry is using smoke and mirrors to give the illusion of improving animal welfare while still allowing animals to suffer needlessly. The codes were a chance to build on the recognition of sentience in decapod crustaceans, but instead, they are an exercise in doing nothing and will set back welfare standards for years to come.”
Crustacean Compassion has developed their own codes that clearly outline what higher welfare standards look like for decapods, and they encourage all seafood businesses to follow suit. They argue that not only do the industry’s codes fail to protect decapods, but they also fail to support a struggling seafood industry that needs to keep up with consumers’ expectations.
However, some supermarkets have taken the lead in demanding better welfare standards for decapods. In their annual report on welfare standards in the food industry, “The Snapshot,” Crustacean Compassion found that industry leaders are making positive progress. “With public awareness around decapod welfare growing rapidly, we’re seeing more retailers respond by setting a higher bar for their suppliers,” Dr. Sturgeon said. “People want to feel good about the food they eat, and they expect supermarkets to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.”
Crustacean Compassion is calling on the new Labour government to reject the industry’s codes of practice and to include decapods in the Animal Welfare Act. As these animals have been recognized as capable of feeling pain and suffering, they should be protected under UK animal welfare legislation.
“At a time when the UK government and the fishing industry seek to encourage more people to eat British seafood, it is vital that the high welfare expectations of today’s consumers are met,” Dr. Sturgeon added. “The UK is rightly proud of our standards of animal welfare – it is only fitting that these levels increase as our scientific understanding of sentience and other welfare factors improves.”
In conclusion, Crustacean Compassion argues that the codes do not represent an advance in welfare or support the seafood industry in addressing urgent welfare and environmental issues. By ignoring legislative change, excluding certain species, and promoting ongoing cruel practices, these codes leave the industry in a state of stagnation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.