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Octopus farming in the U.S. would be banned under a new bill in Congress

The OCTOPUS Act would ban farming the animal, and imports of farmed meat. It was introduced by a senator whose office says he learned about the plan through a story on NPR.

toggle caption Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images A controversial plan to commercially farm octopus for meat has led to a U.S. bill that would ban the practice, along with any imports linked to it. “Scientists have proven octopuses are complex, intelligent creatures who can feel a full range of emotions," said Allison Ludtke, manager of legislative affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The Canary Islands government is "demanding a more comprehensive impact assessment" from the company about potential environmental effects, according to a recent update from two advocacy groups, Eurogroup for Animals and Compassion in World Farming.

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