'The Guardian' reports that a group of Conservative MPs have urged the British government to recognize the sentience of some highly-intelligent invertebrates.<br />The animal sentience bill acknowledges that fish and other vertebrates feel pain and should be protected from suffering.<br />The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) argues that some invertebrates, like the octopus, need to be included in the bill. A report by the CAWF found that the <br />UK fishing fleet lands over 420 million crustaceans and cephalopods every year. <br />"All but a very small minority of scientists agree these are sentient animals capable of pain and suffering." Lorraine Platt, founder of CAWF, via 'The Guardian'<br />"It’s very important they are kept in the animal sentience bill." Lorraine Platt, founder of CAWF, via 'The Guardian'<br />The bill would require government policy to take into account that animals experience feelings, including pain and joy. <br />The bill is currently at second reading stage in the House of Lords.<br />It will be decided by a committee consisting of animal experts within the field.
