SAGB TO HOLD OPEN MEETING ON CRUSTACEAN WELFARE

SAGB to Hold Open Meeting on Crustacean Welfare

The Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) has announced an open virtual meeting focused on crustacean welfare at the time of killing. Scheduled for Monday, March 17, at 9:30 AM, the meeting aims to engage fishmongers, restaurants, and other industry stakeholders in discussions on forthcoming government guidance regarding humane dispatch methods for lobsters, crabs, and other decapod crustaceans.

David Jarrad, CEO of SAGB told Fish Focus “These changes could significantly impact many businesses that currently rely on traditional dispatch methods and we would encourage as many interested parties and stakeholders to attend.”

“While engagement with the catching and wholesale sectors has been extensive, SAGB believes that fishmongers and the catering sectors have had significantly less involvement in the discussions. This open meeting provides an opportunity for retail and catering professionals to voice their perspectives before the guidance is finalised.” added David

Background and Industry Concerns

The UK government, through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is developing guidance on crustacean welfare to align with the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 (WATOK). This comes after a review of scientific evidence suggesting that traditional methods—such as boiling live lobsters—may cause avoidable pain and distress, potentially breaching existing animal welfare laws.

Proposed Welfare Guidelines

Defra’s assessment suggests that:

• Electrical stunning followed by a swift killing method is the most humane alternative.
• If electrical stunning is not possible, whole-body splitting for lobsters or double spiking for crabs should be used.
• Methods such as conscious boiling, freezing, or dismemberment of live crustaceans are considered contrary to welfare regulations and are likely to be discouraged.

These changes could significantly impact many businesses that currently rely on traditional dispatch methods.

Meeting Agenda

The meeting will be chaired by Mike Warner, Chairman of SAGB, and will include:

• An introduction by David Jarrad, CEO of SAGB, outlining the issue.
• A presentation by Alex Rattee, Defra’s Animal Welfare Policy Lead, on the government’s position.
• A Q&A and general discussion session, giving attendees the chance to raise concerns and ask questions.

Why This Matters

For businesses that deal with live crustaceans, this meeting is a critical chance to understand the upcoming changes and provide feedback before the new guidance is finalised. As Defra continues its consultations, industry input could influence the final recommendations, shaping how crustaceans are handled in restaurants and retail settings across the UK.

To participate in the meeting, interested parties can join via Microsoft Teams.

To register an interest in the meeting please email admin@shellfish.org.uk

For more details about SAGB visit www.shellfish.org.uk