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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 12 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. It was answered by Dan Jarvis (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 January 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments: Shellfish

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of excluding decapod crustaceans from the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 on the Government's approach to animal sentience.

Answer

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 recognises decapod crustaceans as sentient beings. The Government remains committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans, both for those caught for human consumption and those used in scientific research.

The Home Office is carefully considering next steps, in collaboration with other relevant departments, on whether decapod crustaceans should be brought within the scope of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives in science and has published a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption. The strategy is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
105117
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Animal experiments Shellfish
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk