As insect farming scales globally, welfare standards are being developed to address the growing scientific evidence that insects may be capable of experiencing pain and distress.
The question of insect welfare is one of the most uncertain frontiers in animal ethics. The scale of insect production means that if insects are sentient, the aggregate suffering involved in current production systems would be enormous. Current killing methods including live grinding and freezing while unfrozen animals remain conscious are of particular concern under any welfare framework that accepts insect sentience. The precautionary principle suggests that welfare standards addressing at minimum killing methods and extreme overcrowding should be implemented proportionate to the probability and degree of insect sentience, even amid scientific uncertainty.