Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Update Animal Welfare Act 2006's scope for duty of care to include invertebrates
Closed
130 signatures
What the petition asks
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 does not cover invertebrate animals. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 has since recognized some invertebrates as sentient. Nearly all invertebrates have a true nervous system if there is even the potential, they must be protected.
Some invertebrates have been found to have sentience, almost all invertebrates have a true nervous system (varying in complexity). We think no living thing should be allowed to suffer. It is our duty to ensure invertebrates are added to the Animal Welfare Act, 2006). We think current protections for invertebrates are unacceptable from an ethical standpoint - why should invertebrates not at least be given the bare minimum?
Timeline
| 20 Aug 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
130
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
20 Aug 2025
Closed
20 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 11 Aug 2026.