Farmed Animals

Insect Farming Welfare: An Emerging Field

Billions of insects are now farmed globally for protein and feed, raising novel welfare questions about invertebrate sentience and suffering.

Key Facts

Global insect farming now produces over 1 million tonnes annually
Black soldier fly and mealworm are the most commonly farmed species
Research on insect nociception and stress responses remains limited but growing
Temperature, crowding, and moisture affect insect behavior and survival rates

Welfare Considerations

While the evidence for insect sentience is less clear than for vertebrates, the precautionary principle suggests attention to conditions that reduce distress. High temperatures cause rapid mortality; crowding increases stress hormones in some species. Humane slaughter methods using cold and CO2 are being developed.

What You Can Do

Support research into insect sentience and welfare indicators
Choose insect products from producers with published welfare standards
Engage with policy discussions on minimum standards for insect farming
Reduce meat consumption, which may increase pressure for insect protein alternatives