Written question asked by Alex Mayer (Labour) on Monday, 23 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 March 2026. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Cephalopods and Shellfish: Animal Welfare

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, what is the timeline for the publication of the evidence base on welfare issues affecting decapod crustaceans.

Answer: The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. The Government set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy that it will develop this evidence base through research and continued stakeholder engagement. Research on how live decapods move from sea to plate is due to finish later this year and a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Secondary information