Invertebrates

Farmed Insect Welfare Research Frontier

As farmed insect production scales to meet food and feed demand, welfare research is urgently needed to inform standards.

Key Facts

Global insect production is projected to reach millions of tonnes annually
Black soldier fly, mealworm, and cricket are the primary farmed species
Evidence of nociception and avoidance learning exists in multiple insect species
No welfare regulations currently exist for commercially farmed insects in most jurisdictions

Welfare Considerations

Commercial insect farming has grown from cottage industry to industrial scale without welfare research keeping pace. Billions of insects are killed daily using methods that have not been assessed for welfare impact. Growing evidence of insect nociception creates uncertainty about current practices. The combination of enormous numbers and welfare uncertainty creates an urgent research and policy priority.

What You Can Do

Support insect welfare research organizations
Advocate for inclusion of insects in welfare regulation frameworks
Choose insect protein products from companies with welfare commitments
Follow developments in insect sentience science and its regulatory implications