Petitions/Update Animal Welfare Act 2006's scope for duty of care to include invertebrates
StatusClosed
Opened20 Aug 2025
Closes20 Feb 2026
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 does not cover invertebrate animals. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 has since recognized some invertebrates as sentient. Nearly all invertebrates have a true nervous system if there is even the potential, they must be protected.

Some invertebrates have been found to have sentience, almost all invertebrates have a true nervous system (varying in complexity). We think no living thing should be allowed to suffer. It is our duty to ensure invertebrates are added to the Animal Welfare Act, 2006). We think current protections for invertebrates are unacceptable from an ethical standpoint - why should invertebrates not at least be given the bare minimum?

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Constituency engagement ranking

Mr Mark Francois
1Mr Mark Francois MP
Rayleigh and Wickford
15
David Burton-Sampson
2David Burton-Sampson MP
Southend West and Leigh
15
Mr Bayo Alaba
3Mr Bayo Alaba MP
Southend East and Rochford
14
Mrs Kemi Badenoch
4Mrs Kemi Badenoch MP
North West Essex
3
Kevin Bonavia
5Kevin Bonavia MP
Stevenage
3
Jacob Collier
6Jacob Collier MP
Burton and Uttoxeter
2
Marie Goldman
7Marie Goldman MP
Chelmsford
2
Dan Tomlinson
8Dan Tomlinson MP
Chipping Barnet
2
Tulip Siddiq
9Tulip Siddiq MP
Hampstead and Highgate
2
Sir Oliver Dowden
10Sir Oliver Dowden MP
Hertsmere
2
Update Animal Welfare Act 2006's scope for duty of care to include invertebrates — Petitions