There has been some criticism of the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Crabs, Lobsters, Crawfish and Nephrops suggesting that they do not go far enough and that they are not sufficiently binding.?I think that this criticism is misplaced.
The publication by Seafish, Shellfish Association of Great Britain and the Crab & Lobster Management Group of the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Crabs, Lobsters, Crawfish and Nephrops is a significant milestone on the path to industry-wide, achievable and complementary improvements in crustacean welfare.
The Codes of Practice have been written by and for the shellfish industry. Businesses both large and small were brought together to identify the key areas of risk to crab and lobster welfare and to propose how these risks should be mitigated. That the Codes of Practice have been written by and for industry means that they should be achievable by all businesses, right across the sector.?This might not happen straight away, because some businesses will need to invest to improve processes, but as much as the Codes of Practice are voluntary they are also achievable.
The Codes of Practice are complementary to the development of ‘higher welfare’ codes and to the publication by leading shellfish companies of their in-house crustacean welfare strategies. The Codes of Practice add to the growing body of understanding that enables shellfish businesses to do what is best for the animals in their care.
As our knowledge of crustacean sentience and welfare evolves we would expect that all of these codes and policies should evolve. For example, the Codes of Practice recognise that in some areas it is difficult to see a way to mitigate welfare risks; and that further research is needed to identify solutions to welfare challenges. The shellfish industry has now begun the process of specifying, commissioning and delivering this research.?In time, and with access to these and other research findings, the Codes of Practice can and should be updated and improved.
More immediately, the adoption of the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Crabs, Lobsters, Crawfish and Nephrops should be encouraged by all who would like to see industry-wide, achievable and complementary improvements in crustacean welfare.
Paul Silcock Greg Morel Heleen van de Weerd Jon Day Aoife Martin Sophie Bennett David Jarrad Claire Pescod
Codes of practice have been created by us, the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, the Crab and Lobster Management Group and other stakeholders to help ensure the seafood industry, across all areas of the supply chain, are working to best practice when handling and dispatching crustaceans.
To access the codes please visit our website: https://buff.ly/4citzVS
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