HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases imports and exports information monthly, as an Accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com).

From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria. To use the tables, you will need the commodity codes for crayfish, lobster and fish products. These codes are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. Lobster and crayfish are classified to Chapter 03 of the Tariff and fish products are classified within Chapter 16.

The data on the website will, within limitations, tell you the total value of imports of these products into the UK. It includes value and weight (kg) of imports and exports. However, it will not identify individual items as this could identify individual importers or exporters. This would be in conflict with Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA). CRCA restricts the information that HMRC may disclose publicly on persons making imports and exports.

It will not be possible to distinguish imports and exports specifically from or to Tristan Da Cunha because for trade statistics purposes the territory of “Tristan Da Cunha” is included and grouped together with imports from and exports to Saint Helena, Tristan Da Cunha and other islands in this area.

If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.

The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives in science and has published a strategy which sets out our long-term vision for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances. 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

The strategy does not preclude the development of alternatives to the use of animal species not currently covered by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) protections, including decapod crustaceans.

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 recognised 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 ASPA.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has statutory responsibilities in relation to the classification and monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas and is the lead body for the Government response to incidents involving the food chain including environmental pollution incidents that may present a food safety risk including sewage, chemical and oil spills.

We are advised by the FSA that when an environmental pollution incident is reported, it will engage with local enforcement authorities to identify any food safety risks. Where such risks exist, they ensure that appropriate action is taken at a local level to protect public health.

In respect of classified harvesting areas affected by environmental pollution, local authorities will issue a Temporary Prohibition Order to prevent further harvesting from that area. Notices will be displayed in the vicinity of the area and harvesters registered with the authority will be notified. Local authorities will also take steps to ensure that contaminated shellfish originating from the area are not placed on the market and that any already on the market are withdrawn. In respect of unclassified areas local authorities may post warning signs to inform recreational/private anglers or harvesters of the pollution incident or the area may be subject to an order made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

Data are set out in the following table on the number of cases of illness associated with shellfish reported in the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2011, excluding sporadic cases. These data are not specific to shellfish from heavily polluted areas as information is not collected at this level of detail.