Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government will consider the case for developing statutory codes as part of the wider work and commitment to undertake a gap analysis and wider evidence-based review to inform future measures to protect decapod welfare.

The Scottish Government takes the welfare of animals at slaughter very seriously, including that of male chicks. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

The Scottish Government is working with Defra and the Welsh Government on producing guidance on the welfare of decapods at the time of killing. We are also committed to undertaking a gap analysis in partnership with Defra to identify knowledge and evidence gaps, reviewing current evidence and to continuing our engagement with relevant stakeholders to explore how best to improve decapod welfare.

In line with data protection requirements, applications from multiple individuals within family groups are received and considered individually. Family members can request to have the same redress case worker assigned to their application. With consent from all parties, information relating to family members’ applications can be shared for consideration by Redress Scotland panel members.

To date, no assessment has been undertaken. In its statutory review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) Act 2020 the Scottish Government committed to undertaking, in collaboration with Defra and other devolved administrations, a gap analysis to identify the specific welfare challenges faced by decapods (including live transportation), what evidence there is to inform potential solutions to these challenges and where further research may be needed.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment focussed on the welfare implication of live boiling. However, we have previously acknowledged and recognise that the live boiling of decapods is regarded as an inhumane slaughter method. We continue to consider the welfare challenges associated with decapods and assess the available evidence to inform any future measures to protect decapod welfare.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the practices by other countries or jurisdictions. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

Very little routine killing of male chicks takes place in Scotland, with the main commercial hatcheries supplying Scotland’s egg industry being located in England. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

Applicants are asked if they are terminally ill on the application form and, if confirmed, these applications are considered priority 1 applications and are prioritised at all stages of the redress process.

Redress Scotland make a determination on a priority 1 application within six weeks of receipt. Prioritisation of applications to be determined is a matter for the Chair of Redress Scotland, as set out in the Redress for Survivors (Historical Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021).

The Scottish Government has considered and continues to consider a range of evidence around decapod welfare including the London School of Economics study on decapod and cephalopod sentience, and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission Case Study on cephalopod sentience. Any future research needs will be informed in due course by the gap analysis we are committed to undertaking in collaboration with Defra.