News release from Crustacean Compassion:

• Following the inclusion of decapod crustaceans in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, Crustacean Compassion has commissioned the “The Snapshot”, the first benchmark to assess decapod crustacean welfare standards within the UK food supply chain.
• 30 UK seafood producers, processors, and retailers were evaluated in the benchmark, which assessed their current management and reporting practices. The aim was to establish a baseline of industry information, highlighting areas where progress is being made as well as areas where improvement is needed.
• The Snapshot’s summary findings will be shared via a live, virtual launch event at 11am on Wednesday 25 January 2023.​

The Snapshot: Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare is the first benchmark to objectively assess leading seafood producers, processors, retailers and wholesalers in the UK on their management practices and reporting of welfare standards for decapod crustaceans, such as crabs, lobsters, prawns and nephrops (langoustines).

Commissioned by Crustacean Compassion, and facilitated by Chronos Sustainability the assessment criteria used has been informed by input from industry and other stakeholders as well as a public consultation period.

In recognition of the work already happening within the industry to address decapod crustacean welfare and the relative immaturity of the matter as a business issue, the data findings will be anonymised in The Snapshot’s inaugural report. Although company scores will be published in future reports, the first Snapshot report establishes a baseline of current practices against which progress can be measured.

Growing interest in decapod welfare

Going forward, The Snapshot will be a tool to assist in defining key welfare expectations for food companies and consumers, and to help the industry improve welfare standards. In line with the global movement towards greater transparency in our food systems, The Snapshot will aid companies to address the evolving welfare issue and demonstrate how they are doing so to industry and consumers.

For further information and the full news release see the website here.