According to CNN, the above report was conducted by experts from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) under the commission of the British Government.

Experts reviewed 300 scientific papers to assess the evidence for sentience in animals. They concluded that cephalopods (octopuses, squid) and decapods (shrimp, crabs) should be treated as sentient creatures.

A new report argues that lobsters and crabs should never be boiled alive, and outlines some best practices for transporting and slaughtering them.

The experts used eight different criteria to measure the animals’ perception, including: learning ability, number of pain receptors, connections between these receptors and certain brain regions, response to anesthesia or painkillers, and other cognitive behaviors. These behaviors include weighing threats against opportunities  , or balancing fight and injury, threats.

Octopuses have “very strong” senses. Photo:  shpatak.livejournal

They found evidence that octopuses have “very strong” sentience, and most crabs have “strong” sentience.  For other animals in this group, such as squid, cuttlefish, and lobsters, the evidence suggests that they have significant but not strong sentience.

However, the report also notes that the discrepancy between the above evidence may stem from the different levels of scientific interest in each species.

Vertebrates have now been included in the list of sentient creatures in an animal rights bill being debated in the UK.

“The Sentient Animal Welfare Bill will ensure that the rights of animals are fully taken into account in the legislation. The science shows that cephalopods and decapods can feel pain, so they must be included in this bill,” said Environment Secretary Zac Goldsmith.

If passed, the bill would establish a Sentient Animals Commission, which would be responsible for reporting on how the government’s decisions take into account the welfare of sentient animals.  It is part of the UK Government’s Animal Welfare Action Plan.