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Crustacean Compassion - Online Sales

Crustacean Compassion - Online Sales

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In the UK, decapod crustacean, such as crabs, lobsters and prawns have little protection under animal welfare legislation. This means they are subjected to inhumane practices that would be considered unacceptable in other animals, for example, they are sent live in the post to consumers.  

Stop the sale of live crabs and lobsters for home cooking 

Online retailers, such as Amazon, sell live crabs and lobsters to consumers and when ordered, these vulnerable animals are posted or delivered alive. Not only could the journey harm the lobsters, but there could be delays with delivery leading to them being stuck in ...

In the UK, decapod crustacean, such as crabs, lobsters and prawns have little protection under animal welfare legislation. This means they are subjected to inhumane practices that would be considered unacceptable in other animals, for example, they are sent live in the post to consumers.  

Stop the sale of live crabs and lobsters for home cooking 

Online retailers, such as Amazon, sell live crabs and lobsters to consumers and when ordered, these vulnerable animals are posted or delivered alive. Not only could the journey harm the lobsters, but there could be delays with delivery leading to them being stuck in vans and left on doorsteps for unknown lengths of time. This practice is unacceptable and risks injury, stress, and slow suffocation for the animals. Those who manage to survive the journey are then at risk of an inhumane death at the other end. as their lives are ended in the bottom of a fridge or in a pan of boiling water. 

In November 2021 a UK government commissioned report was published and found that there was strong evidence of sentience in decapods, and recommended that they should be protected in law. Specifically in relation to online sales of live animals, the authors stated: 

“This practice inherently creates a risk of poor handling and inappropriate storage and slaughter methods. Ending this practice would be an effective intervention to improve the welfare of decapods.” 

Over 4,000 letters sent to Amazon  

We have written directly to major UK online retailers that sell live decapods asking them to stop. And we asked our supporters to do the same. Despite receiving over 4,000 letters from outraged Crustacean Compassion supporters since last Christmas, Amazon has not listened. So now, we’re taking the campaign to the Government. 

Update 29 December 2022

Amazon UK have now removed listings of live crabs and lobsters from their site. This is excellent news, in part thanks to your incredible support.

However, until Amazon and other online retailers publicly commit to making this a permanent policy change, the sale of live animals could resume at any moment.

Please use our template letter to write to your MP calling for an immediate ban and for legislation to be enforced, ending the suffering once and for all.

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Ask Amazon to stop selling live lobsters

TAKE URGENT ACTION 

The sale of live lobsters online increases around Valentine's Day. It's urgent that as many letters get sent as possible to stop the live sale of lobsters online. Send yours now!

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