Insect farming is growing rapidly but welfare standards lag far behind. Building evidence-based frameworks now will shape industry practices for billions of animals.
Insect welfare standards are urgently needed but difficult to develop given the scientific uncertainty about insect sentience. The precautionary approach suggests treating insects as potentially sentient and developing standards that minimize likely suffering while research advances. Key welfare-relevant factors for farmed insects include: stocking density that allows normal behavior and access to food; substrate quality and composition that meets nutritional and behavioral needs; temperature management within species-appropriate ranges; and slaughter methods that minimize potential suffering through rapid chilling or heat. The challenge is developing standards that are proportionate to the uncertain level of insect sentience without creating disproportionate compliance costs for an industry that may be providing significant environmental benefits as a protein source alternative to conventional livestock.