Including crustaceans in animal welfare law could be a mistake (Image: Steven David Miller / Nature Picture Library / Rex Features)

ANIMAL welfare legislation generally applies only to vertebrates. There are, however, moves to include invertebrates. Proposed changes to European law, for example, would extend welfare laws to crabs and lobsters. Up to now the only invertebrate protected is the common octopus.

“Invertebrate rights” has become a campaigning issue. Advocates for Animals recently produced a report which concludes that there is “potential for experiencing pain and suffering” in crustaceans. The group is particularly concerned about boiling lobsters alive. The …