England will soon prohibit the practice of boiling lobsters alive as part of efforts to enhance animal welfare. Government officials have stated that boiling live lobsters is not an acceptable method of euthanasia for crustaceans. This decision is outlined in the Government’s comprehensive Animal Welfare Strategy, which aims to implement various policies to enhance the well-being of domestic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
The act of boiling lobsters alive is already illegal in several countries, including Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand. Animal welfare organizations suggest alternative methods such as stunning lobsters with an electric gun or chilling them before boiling as more humane practices.
Ben Sturgeon, the chief executive of Crustacean Compassion, expressed approval for the new regulations, emphasizing that boiling conscious animals causes unnecessary pain and suffering. He highlighted that humane alternatives like electrical stunning are readily available and should be utilized.
The announcement received support from former Tory minister Zac Goldsmith, who criticized the cruelty of boiling lobsters alive. In a statement, he aligned with the opposition, emphasizing the brutality of the practice.
In 2022, the Conservative government recognized invertebrates, including octopus, crabs, and lobsters, as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain on par with other animals.
Additionally, the Animal Welfare Strategy includes plans to investigate the prohibition of electric shock collars for pets, prevent dog attacks on farm animals, and outlaw the caging of hens. The strategy also aims to ban trail hunting and snares, as reported by The Mirror recently.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds described the UK as a nation that values animal welfare and hailed the new strategy as the most ambitious in a generation.
Furthermore, the strategy outlines reforms for dog breeding practices to enhance health and welfare, with a focus on ending puppy farming. The government aims to crack down on puppy smuggling and improve care for overbred dogs.
Regarding farm animals, the strategy includes plans to phase out confinement systems like colony cages for hens, introduce humane slaughter practices for farmed fish, and promote the use of slower-growing chicken breeds for meat production.
Ministers have committed to transitioning away from pig farrowing crates and addressing welfare concerns related to the use of carbon dioxide for stunning pigs.
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