Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in UK animal cruelty crackdown
When animals or birds experience pain, they often exhibit physical
responses, including hiding, crying, and defending. Then what about crustaceans,
such as crabs, crayfish, shrimps, and lobsters? It is now widely agreed that
they do feel pain, too. Last month, the government of England launched a
package of new animal welfare laws, including bans on hen cages, pig farrowing
crates, and puppy farming. Also banned is boiling lobsters while they are alive
and conscious. Boiling live prawns, lobsters, and crabs is a popular delicacy
in many parts of the world. However, such a practice is considered inhumane and
banned in some countries, including Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand. They
suggest that lobsters are made unconscious with an electric gun or chilled in
ice before they are boiled. Freeing hens and pigs from cages will require
substantial space, cost, and labor for the farmers. Stunning lobsters will require
extra processing or a dedicated device in the kitchen. However, until they die,
they are still alive and feel pain.
Read the article and learn how England is trying to be more humane before
killing animals and crustaceans.
