The question of whether invertebrates such as insects, crabs, lobsters, and octopuses experience pain is scientifically and ethically important, given the billions of individuals involved in food systems.
Invertebrate welfare is one of the most uncertain areas in animal ethics, but uncertainty is not a justification for dismissing concern. The precautionary principle suggests that where there is credible evidence of sentience or pain experience in large numbers of individuals, welfare protections are warranted even absent definitive proof. The UK legislative recognition of crustacean and cephalopod sentience represents a model for other jurisdictions to adopt as the scientific evidence continues to develop.