§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the advice of the Animal Procedures Committee on whether cephalopods used in research should be protected by the controls of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe Government recently received the views of the Animal Procedures Committee. The committee has concluded that there is not yet definite scientific evidence to suggest that cephalopods can experience pain or suffering. However, a majority of the committee believes that there is sufficient doubt about one species of cephalopod, the common octopus or Octopus vulgaris, that the benefit of the doubt should be given to that species and that it should be protected by the 1986 Act.
The Government accept the majority view of the committee and agrees in principle that Octopus vulgaris should be included within the definition of protected animal for the purposes of the 1986 Act. Work is in hand to give effect to this change.
I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the letter from Lord Nathan, chairman of the APC, to my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary giving details of the committee's considerations.