Crustacean Compassion and Compassion in World Farming unveiled the Protect the ’Pods campaign in Westminster, accompanied by a giant lobster and octopus. Colourful stilt walkers helped attract attention as campaigners carried their message across Westminster Bridge and towards Downing Street.
At the heart of the campaign is a striking inconsistency in animal welfare legislation.
Decapod crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters and prawns, and cephalopod molluscs, including octopuses, squid and cuttlefish, are recognised as sentient beings under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. However, they are not currently covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
This means the law acknowledges that these animals can experience pain and suffering without giving them the same practical welfare protection afforded to many other animals.
As the Animal Welfare Act approaches its 20th anniversary, the two charities are urging the Government to “get their Acts together” and close this legal gap.
Dr Ben Sturgeon, chief executive of Crustacean Compassion, said recognition of sentience meant little while the animals remained outside the scope of the main welfare legislation.
“The Sentience Act says they can suffer. The Animal Welfare Act should protect them,” he told That's Green. “It’s time to close the gap, align the Acts and give these animals the protection they deserve.”
James West, chief public affairs manager at Compassion in World Farming, described cephalopods as extraordinary creatures and said scientific evidence concerning their sentience was clear.
“Recognition was an important first step, but now it must lead to meaningful protection,” he told us.
The campaign follows recommendations from the Animal Sentience Committee, which has called for the definition of an animal to be applied consistently throughout relevant legislation. It specifically suggested that using the definition contained within the Sentience Act for the Animal Welfare Act would bring decapods and cephalopods under its protection.
The Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy has also acknowledged that gaps remain in the treatment and protection of these animals.
Through Protect the ’Pods, members of the public are being invited to join the “Pod Squad” and ask the Government to extend the Animal Welfare Act.
The campaign’s message is simple: if the law recognises that an animal can suffer, it should also protect that animal from unnecessary suffering.
Two organisations have united behind one clear demand: it is time to put the ’pods in the Act.
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