Waitrose, a UK supermarket targeting wealthier customers, has announced that it will stop selling suffocated farmed prawns by the end of next year. The supermarket plans to introduce electrical stunning as a slaughter method for all the farmed prawns it sells, in line with an industry-leading animal welfare commitment. However, critics argue that this move may just be "humane washing", as the prawns should not be farmed or killed using any method if their welfare is truly a top priority.

The UK passed legislation in 2022 recognizing decapod crustaceans, including prawns and shrimp, as sentient beings with the capacity to feel pain and distress. While efforts are being made to improve slaughter methods for these animals, other sentient beings like pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, and ducks are still farmed in large numbers. Only a few retailers, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, and Ocado, have committed to ending practices like eye ablation in the farming industry.