![]() ![]() They will be able to issue reports on how well government decisions have taken account of the welfare of sentient animals with Ministers needing to respond to Parliament. The Bill, when it becomes law, will establish an Animal Sentience Committee made up of experts from within the field. 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 wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws. 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: Instead, it is designed to ensure animal welfare is well considered in future decision-making. There will be no direct impact on the shellfish catching or restaurant industry. If we have good reasons to believe that a species of crab is sentient. Today’s announcement will not affect any existing legislation or industry practices such as fishing. laws any species for which we have at least a credible indicator of sentience. However, unlike some other invertebrates (animals without a backbone ), decapod crustaceans and cephalopods have complex central nervous systems, one of the key hallmarks of sentience. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill already recognises all animals with a backbone (vertebrates) as sentient beings. The move follows the findings of a government-commissioned independent review by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) which concluded there is strong scientific evidence decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs are sentient. The scope of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has today been extended to recognise lobsters, octopus and crabs and all other decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs as sentient beings. Existing industry practices will not be affected and there will be no direct impact on shellfish catching or in restaurant kitchens.Amendment to Bill follows London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) scientific research findings on decapod and cephalopod sentience.Decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs will be recognised under the scope of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.Crabs, octopus and lobsters to be recognised as sentient beings in government policy decision making.PM candidates urged to pledge on nature leadership.Link coordinates Better Deal for Animals, a coalition of 50 animal protection groups in the UK, who have joined forces to campaign for a strong law that recognises animal sentience.Link’s latest briefing on the Animal Sentience Bill, from its committee stage in July, makes the case for the inclusion of cephalopods and decapod crustaceans and for an independent and sufficiently resourced Animal Sentience Committee.The Government amendment follows the publication of a long-awaited LSE report into the sentience of cephalopods (including octopuses) and decapod crustaceans (including lobsters and crabs).“Alongside reassurances about the resourcing and independence of the Animal Sentience Committee, these changes leave the Animal Sentience Bill in a much better shape as it enters its final stages.” Now the science of sentience is clear that animals like octopuses, crabs and lobsters also have the capacity to experience joy, pleasure, pain and fear, so it’s very positive that Government has listened to the evidence and agreed to recognise their sentience in law. “Anyone who has watched ‘My Octopus Teacher’ or seen these amazing creatures in the wild will appreciate their intelligence. Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: Welcoming the announcement of a government amendment to the Animal Sentience Bill today that recognises the sentience of octopuses, crabs and lobsters The review defined sentience as 'the capacity to have feelings, such as feelings of pain, pleasure, hunger, thirst, warmth, joy, comfort and excitement.' Octopuses, crabs, and lobsters will be recognized as sentient beings under UK animal welfare laws after a review concluded there is strong evidence they are capable of feelings.
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