During the Christmas holidays, when Italian tables are filled with dishes based on fish and shellfish, the topic of their treatment returns to the center of the debate. Licia Colò, who has always been committed to the protection of animals and the environment, has decided to expose herself personally by joining the “On the side of crustaceans” campaign by Animal Law Italia, which calls for a concrete change in the sales and preparation practices of crabs, lobsters and lobsters.
In fishmongers and supermarkets it is still common to see crustaceans sold alive, with their claws tied and often preserved on beds of ice, a condition that causes stress, fear and pain. Added to this is the practice of boiling while alive, still widespread, which according to numerous scientific studies involves prolonged suffering. The idea that these animals do not feel pain is today considered outdated: the most recent research clearly speaks of sentient beings, capable of perceiving negative stimuli and reacting to dangerous situations.
The demand for new rules and more advanced laws
The campaign, supported by a coalition of animal rights associations (Animal Law Italia, Animal Equality Italia, CIWF Italia, ENPA,essere Animali, LAV, LEAL, LNCD Aniaml Protection and Oipa), does not ask for the abolition of the consumption of crustaceans, but aims to ban their sale while alive, their preservation on ice and their killing while they are conscious. The objective is to obtain a legislative change that officially recognizes the sentience of decapod crustaceans and imposes more respectful practices along the entire supply chain: from capture to transport, up to slaughter.
Licia Colò’s role as testimonial
With a direct appeal to the public, Licia Colò invites us to reflect on daily choices and the impact these have on less protected animals. His message is clear: getting informed is the first step to making an informed choice. The presenter underlines how attention towards animal welfare is often reserved for mammals, while other species continue to suffer silent torture without arousing indignation.
I ask you to inform yourself about the life of crustaceans and to reflect on the terrible way in which we kill them. Lobsters, crabs, lobsters that are killed by throwing them directly into boiling water. Scientific research supports that they are sentient beings and that they experience infinite pain. So let’s think about it and make the right choice.
Italy and comparison with Europe
In Europe, only a few countries have introduced specific rules for the protection of crustaceans, while in the United Kingdom they are already recognized as sentient beings. According to the promoters of the campaign, an intervention by Italy could become an important precedent, capable of influencing other member states as well and marking a step towards civilization in the relationship between man and animals.
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