Companies in the UK face the first assessment of welfare standards for crabs, lobsters and prawns since the creatures were legally recognised as sentient and able to feel pain.

Following the inclusion of decapod crustaceans – animals such as crabs, lobsters and prawns – in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, Crustacean Compassion have launched the first UK industry benchmark ‘The Snapshot’ to assess welfare standards for decapod crustaceans within the UK food supply chain.

A total of 30 UK companies – including all major supermarkets – were evaluated in the benchmark, revealing that only 50 per cent of companies have developed formal policies on some aspect of decapod crustacean welfare, and only one is promoting decapod welfare to consumers.

On average, retailers are leading the way in areas of welfare policy, management and reporting.

A timely report on decapod crustacean welfare

Commissioned by award-winning animal welfare organisations, Crustacean Compassion, and facilitated by Chronos Sustainability, The Snapshot report is the first assessment of leading seafood producers, processors, retailers and wholesalers in the UK on welfare standards for decapod crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters and prawns.

Each year, more than 420 million crabs, lobsters, langoustines and prawn/shrimp are caught in the UK, with a further five billion prawns and other crustaceans being imported from overseas. The Snapshot looks at their welfare at all stages of the supply chain: capture and handling, holding and storage, transport, mutilations, stunning and slaughter.


“Since animals like crabs and lobsters were legally recognised as sentient and able to feel pain, companies have rightly been under increased scrutiny about how their practices impact the welfare of the animals involved,” remarked Claire Howard, Director at Crustacean Compassion. “The Snapshot will show how decapod welfare is currently being addressed across the industry right now, and will drive welfare improvements across the sector,” she advised.

“Customers expect to be able to buy seafood that has been produced to high standards of animal welfare, and we have been asked which brands and companies have the most humane practices,” Ms. Howard continued. “The food industry has a responsibility to both meet those expectations and provide the necessary information to enable consumers to make informed choices.”

 

Retailers take the lead on welfare policy, but there’s still work to be done

The Snapshot assessed 30 UK seafood companies, including household name brands, all major supermarkets and more localised seafood specialists. The report reveals that 70 per cent of companies consider the welfare of crustaceans to be a business issue, in part due to growing consumer concerns. Contrary to this, only 50 per cent have developed formal welfare policies relating to the issue.

While retailers are leading the way across several key areas, including policy commitment, enforcing their policies and reporting of welfare standards, only one company assessed is promoting decapod crustacean welfare to their customers – and this is a producer, not a retailer.

The benchmark will be repeated later in 2023 and will show which companies are taking decapod welfare seriously and making improvements in this important area. Whilst this initial report does not share company scores, subsequent reports will publish all company scores and a ranking table, allowing consumers to make informed choices for higher-welfare products that avoid inhumane practices such as eyestalk ablation and slaughter through drowning, asphyxiation and boiling alive.

The development of The Snapshot involved consultation with industry, and this continued engagement will ensure that decapods, companies and consumers will all benefit.

The full report, The Snapshot: Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare is available on the Crustacean Compassion website: www.crustaceancompassion.org/the-snapshot