This past week, we notified you that the UK has passed legislation banning the live boiling of lobsters. Current research indicates that – contrary to popular belief – Lobsters feel pain. Most of Europe is on the anti-boiling bandwagon, too…
… But it appears that the subject hasn’t even come up in North America, which controls the lion’s share of the coveted Atlantic Lobsters.
Where the world is at, lobster-wise…
Scientists have hooked lobsters up to sensitive monitoring devices and found that their nervous systems register ‘shocks’ when they are tossed into boiling water. And subjected to other stresses that humans would characterize as painful.
In 2018, Switzerland became the first country to ban the live-boiling of lobsters. There, lobsters need to be rendered unconscious, or killed instantly, before they are boiled. The Swiss law also affords lobsters other forms of protection while in transit.
Norway, Austria, New Zealand and some Australian territories have also placed restrictions on the in-humane treatment of lobsters. Certain cities in Germany and Italy have also banned the practice of boiling lobsters alive.
In the UK…
‘In 2021, a study conducted by experts from the London School of Economics (LSE) concluded there was, ‘strong scientific evidence decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs are sentient‘,” Wikipedia records. “As of 2025, boiling lobsters alive remains common practice in the UK, although lawyers have argued that it could be considered illegal under animal welfare legislation. Lobsters in the UK have been legally recognized as sentient beings since the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022.”
Which led to the ban on live boiling.
My take
I’m all for animal rights and the preservation of species. But – as any farmer will tell you – there’s a place where you have to draw a line, separate livestock from other animals. That’s why farmers don’t name their cows. Mustn’t become too attached to them. It’s also why 4H kids regularly have nervous breakdowns when they have to give up their ‘project’ animals.
It’s human nature to either love animals or… Treat them like animals.
Nevertheless, the ‘sentience’ of farm livestock has been recognised for quite a long time, now… When I was just starting elementary school, the Milk man used to come every day or so. On the side of his van was emblazoned the slogan: ‘Sweeter Milk From Contented Cows’.
And other farm animals have been ’emancipated’ in a number of prominent cases over the past dec-ade or so. Most prominently, chickens, which have won the right to go cage-free.
My questions to you:
Do you agree with the LSE’s findings that lobsters are ‘sentient’ beings?
Do you agree with the EU and UK bans on live-boiling lobsters?
Do you agree with the Swiss law, that it’s more humane to render them unconscious or kill them instantly before cooking?
Or should we stop eating lobsters altogether?
Muse on that…
~ Maggie J.