While there is nothing new about the word sentience, its public use seems to be increasing. This made me wonder what, exactly, does sentience mean and does it matter at all?Īccording to, ahem, Sentience Media dot org:
“The science is now clear that decapods and cephalopods can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation.” “The Animal Welfare Sentience Bill provides a crucial assurance that animal well-being is rightly considered when developing new laws,” Goldsmith said. Once the bill becomes law, an Animal Sentience Committee will be created and report on how well the government is accounting for sentient animals it its decisions. The legislation will not affect fishing practices or restaurants that sell shellfish but will protect the animals in future decision-making. USA Today: “The UK has always led the way on animal welfare and our Action Plan for Animal Welfare goes even further by setting out our plans to bring in some of the strongest protections in the world for pets, livestock and wild animals,” Animal Welfare Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith said in the announcement. All former Red Lobster combos will be recognized as sentient beings after the LSE study has concluded they have a central nervous system and can feel pain. Species included: Lobsters, octopus and crabs. Maybe we won’t celebrate with lobster and champagne for this one.The United Kingdom announced all decapod crustaceans and cephalopod mollusks will be added to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill after a study from the London School of Economics and Political Science found evidence that the sea creatures are sentient, or can feel.
“This is an important first step to establishing more respectful treatment of these amazing animals … We look forward to working with government, industry and scientists to agree and implement humane solutions,” Bass said when speaking to The Guardian.
Executive Director of the Humane Society International/UK, Claire Bass, hopes the future will bring more good news for everyone’s favourite seafood. The new law has been applauded by animal rights activists across the UK. In an article addressing the recent move, DEFRA stressed that the new law will not “direct impact … the shellfish catching or restaurant industry”. They condemned the use of “declawing, nicking, eyestalk ablation, the sale of life decapod crustaceans to untrained, non-expert handlers” and inhumane slaughter practices (e.g. The team also looked into “current commercial practices” used for handling crustaceans and molluscs. boiling any living thing alive is awful and cruel. I think this should also include all fish and sea life. One way the UK can lead on animal welfare is by protecting these invertebrate animals that humans have often completely disregarded,” Dr Birch said. “…octopuses and other cephalopods have been protected in science for years, but have not received protection outside science until now.
“After reviewing over 300 scientific studies, we concluded that cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans should be regarded as sentient, and should therefore be included within the scope of animal welfare law.”ĭr Birch applauds the move as a way to promote consistency amongst animal rights and conservation. “I’m pleased to see the government implementing a central recommendation of my team’s report,” Dr Birch said as reported by LSE. So proud to have been a part of the research team who helped create this outcome ??