Petition · past parliament
Extend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to include crustaceans
Closed
141 signatures
What the petition asks
Crustaceans are not covered by existing animal welfare legislation.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that its protection can be extended to other types of animals if it can be proven that they are capable of experiencing pain.
Scientific evidence proves that crustaceans do feel pain.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that its protection can be extended to other types of animals if it can be proven that they are capable of experiencing pain.
Scientific evidence proves that crustaceans do feel pain.
There is much scientific evidence to suggest that crustaceans feel pain.
As crustaceans are not in the animal welfare act, they can be killed in any way. This usually involves boiling them or hacking them to pieces whilst they are still alive.
Animal welfare organisations are calling for greater protection for these animals, based on sound scientific evidence and the provision in the Act.
Reference: RSPCA, Animal Aid and Shellfish network
As crustaceans are not in the animal welfare act, they can be killed in any way. This usually involves boiling them or hacking them to pieces whilst they are still alive.
Animal welfare organisations are calling for greater protection for these animals, based on sound scientific evidence and the provision in the Act.
Reference: RSPCA, Animal Aid and Shellfish network
Timeline
| 22 Sep 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 22 Mar 2017 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
141
Status
Closed
Opened
22 Sep 2016
Closed
22 Mar 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.