Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken as a result of its call for evidence on decapods, published on 5 July 2023.

The Government has committed to a phased, proportionate and evidence-based approach to developing arrangements for decapod crustaceans used in science.

Existing industry led welfare standards and evidence of current practice will inform this work. The initial phase includes considering and supporting appropriate baseline welfare standards, alongside voluntary reporting and further work to address evidence and technical gaps. This will support welfare improvements while building the evidence needed to inform any future consideration of including decapods as protected animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The Government will engage with scientific and industry representatives, animal welfare organisations and other relevant stakeholders as the work progresses. This engagement will assure that the approach reflects the scientific evidence, existing good practice and the practical implications for those using decapods in research.