Most of the time we go to a fish restaurant we immediately see, in front of the entrance, a tank or counter where there are live crabs and / or lobsters. They are there to be chosen by customers and then immersed in boiling water (ALIVE!!!) to suffer a painful and horrible death. Or to be torn alive! This must be stopped!

The practice of boiling crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans alive is widespread both in private and in catering, however it is a custom that causes an atrocious death to these poor animals, which in fact scream and bang in the pot trying to be able to go out. Just think if someone throw you into boiling water.

Scientific evidence has now shown that crabs, lobsters and shrimps have a high probability of experiencing pain and even emotional anxiety.

An EU expert group stated that many of the ways these animals are currently slaughtered are inhumane. Often they are simply torn apart or boiled alive. It is estimated that a live boiled crab can remain conscious for up to three minutes, which would be considered completely unacceptable in a vertebrate animal such as a pig or chicken. Additionally, live crabs have been found for sale packaged and bound tightly in plastic to be slaughtered at home by the customer. Crabs are not currently covered by animal welfare legislation.

The unbearable agony of crabs, lobsters and crustaceans begins from their marketing, in fact they are sold still alive kept on ice or in freezers and with their claws tied and this method of marketing live animals must be considered a crime. Therefore, the detention of these live animals at temperatures close to freezing and with the claws tied should be configured as a crime, and consequently authorizing the police forces to intervene following complaints from citizens and associations for the very widespread similar situations in fishmongers and in supermarkets, situations considered normal up to now, while Parliament should issue a clear prohibition rule.

Given the latest scientific evidence I believe this is unacceptable. I am taking action. Please join me!

My aim is to get the Animal Welfare Bill to include crustaceans, eg. crabs, lobsters and shrimps.

Many countries have already done this - in New Zealand, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, some Australian states and territories, and in some European cities, crustaceans are recognized as sentient creatures and afforded relevant legal animal welfare protection.

This kind of cruelty doesn't have to continue! Sign my petition and you can help crabs and other types of crustaceans to have legal protection without them being boiled alive or torn apart alive or kept alive in such low temperatures. Remember that one signature can take this aim one step further. One person can change the world!

Please SIGN and SHARE this petition. EVERY MINUTE DELAYED IS A LIFE TIME OF AGONY FOR THE VOICELESS ANIMALS!