On Tuesday 6th July we held an event outside Westminster whilst the Grand Committee debate of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill took place in the House of Lords. We were there to show our support of amendments to the Bill which had been put forward so that decapod crustaceans (and cephalopod molluscs) could be included in its protections.
But we weren’t there alone; we were joined by some very special Crustacean Compassion supporters who dressed up in fabulous lobster, crab, shrimp and octopus costumes and really helped us to show the strength of support these vulnerable little animals have. They represented us, and all our supporters so well and we’re very thankful for them coming along!
We were also joined by some MPs and Peers, who are supportive of our work: Baroness Hayman of Ullock, who tabled one of the amendments to include decapods, MP Tracy Crouch and Shadow Environment Minister Daniel Zeichner. We truly welcome their support!
On route to Westminster, we stopped outside Defra HQ, and took the opportunity to remind Defra that we are still waiting on the LSE report on the sentience of decapod crustaceans and cephalopods. This commissioned research was conducted off the back of our campaign in 2018. It was commissioned and completed by LSE Enterprise in 2020 but the results have still not been published. We need Defra to promptly release the LSE report so that its findings can underpin inclusion of these animals in the Sentience Bill, and other animal welfare legislation.
A glimmer of good news….
Yesterday there was an exciting announcement in The Times that the government may be planning to include decapods in the Sentience Bill. This is extremely significant and welcome news; however, we won’t rest on our laurels until it is confirmed, and the ink is dry on the legislation! We still need to keep the pressure on the Government and show them this is an issue that many people care about.
This is where you come in! #Selfies For Sentience
This week we also launched our new campaign action - as you couldn’t all be with us in person at Westminster, we made an online selfie wall, where you can upload a photo to show your support virtually. We'll use this collage of faces to show Defra and the government all the people who want better protection for crustaceans.
Be a voice (and a face!) for these animals...
Photograph: Charmaine Evans