Evidence for sentience in invertebrates including crabs, lobsters, and insects is growing, challenging welfare frameworks that have historically focused only on vertebrates.
The question of invertebrate sentience has moved from philosophical speculation to an active area of scientific inquiry with significant welfare policy implications. Evidence that crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters experience something akin to pain — including avoidance learning, protective behaviour, and physiological stress responses — has led several countries to include them in animal welfare legislation. The farming of insects at industrial scale represents a looming welfare challenge given evidence of nociception in some species. Developing welfare standards for invertebrates requires navigating significant scientific uncertainty while applying a precautionary approach that takes potential suffering seriously.