Insect farming for food and feed is growing rapidly as a sustainable protein source, but welfare considerations for the billions of insects involved are largely unresolved.
The welfare status of farmed insects is genuinely uncertain. While their nervous systems are simpler than vertebrates, they show nociception and stress responses. Given the enormous numbers involved, even a small probability of suffering warrants precautionary welfare consideration. Research into insect killing methods and optimal husbandry conditions is needed before the sector scales further.