Whether it plans to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to extend statutory animal welfare protections to decapod crust…

Answered Asked by Ariane Burgess Green Lodged 1 Jul 2026

The question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to extend statutory animal welfare protections to decapod crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters and prawns.

The answer

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 Jul 2026 · 12 days after it was lodged, on time

The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to extend statutory animal welfare protections to decapod crustaceans.The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) is currently carrying out a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, with the report scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The Scottish Government will give full consideration to SAWC's report in due course.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S7W-01471 by reference.