Some European countries ban lobster boiling
As some European countries move to ban the boiling of live lobsters, the debate is drawing increased attention here in Atlantic Canada, home to a lobster industry worth nearly $3 billion a year. The live boil ban has already been enacted in the UK, Switzerland, Norway and New Zealand, largely driven by concerns over studies that suggest it’s possible lobsters can feel pain.
But whether Canada should follow suit is far from settled. Recently, CTV News spoke with Dalhousie University’s Shelly Adamo who studies stress responses in animals and she says the science remains unclear, and that uncertainty matters. at the heart of the debate is the lack of scientific consensus on whether lobsters experience pain or suffering.
While alternative killing methods exist, including gradual temperature increases or mechanical stunning, Adamo cautioned against assuming these approaches are cost-free – meaning some restaurants could choose to stop serving lobster altogether, which would disrupt the supply chain.