The UK government is considering a ban on the live boiling of crabs and other decapods for food, citing it as an unacceptable killing method in their animal welfare strategy. While previous legislation has recognized these animals as sentient beings capable of feeling pain, live boiling remains a common practice in the UK despite its cruel nature. The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has proposed a ban on live boiling by the end of the decade in England, but the specifics of enforcement and alternatives are still being determined through ongoing engagement with experts and stakeholders.

Scientific evidence supports the idea that crustaceans like crabs can feel pain, and the majority of British consumers are in favor of a ban on live boiling them. However, some industry professionals have raised concerns about the feasibility of such a ban and the potential impact on food practices. While the issue of live boiling remains legal in the UK for now, the government's inclusion of crustaceans in its animal welfare strategy suggests that progress towards a ban is being made, pending political will, industry cooperation, and public pressure.