Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Swiss chefs ordered to stun lobsters before boiling
Many scientists and animal welfare organisations argue that the lobster’s nervous system is quite sophisticated.
Government bans practice of boiling lobsters alive 

Chefs in Switzerland will no longer be able to boil lobsters without stunning them first, under new rules introduced by the Swiss Government.

According to The Guardian, the move is part of a wider modernisation of Swiss animal protection laws. From March 1, 2018 the practice of plunging live lobsters into boiling water will no longer be permitted.

The government order read that lobsters 'will now have to be stunned before they are put to death’. Swiss broadcaster RTS said that only electric shock or the ‘mechanical destruction’ of the lobster’s brain will be permitted methods of stunning under the new rule.

Many scientists and animal welfare organisations argue that the lobster’s nervous system is quite sophisticated and that it is likely to feel great pain when boiled alive.

The government of Switzerland also said that the live transport of marine crustaceans on ice will no longer be permitted, insisting instead that they must ‘always be held in their natural environment.’

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.