Cricket Farming Welfare in Insect Production

Commercial cricket farming for food and feed is rapidly expanding - welfare science for farmed insects is emerging but many questions remain about cricket sentience and needs.

Key Facts

Crickets (Acheta domesticus) are the most widely farmed insect species for human food and animal feed
Global cricket farming produces tens of thousands of tonnes annually, with billions of individuals
Evidence for insect sentience is debated; crickets show nociception and some learned avoidance
Welfare concerns include high stocking density, temperature management, moisture availability, and slaughter method
Freezing is the most common slaughter method; whether this is humane for insects remains uncertain
The EU approved crickets for human food in 2023 under novel food regulations

Welfare Considerations

Cricket welfare sits at the frontier of animal welfare science. The probability of cricket sentience - of there being 'something it is like' to be a cricket - is lower than for vertebrates but not negligible. A precautionary approach to cricket welfare suggests providing optimal conditions (temperature, moisture, shelter, appropriate food) and using the most humane slaughter methods available (rapid freezing or cold anesthesia before processing). Given the billions of individuals involved, even small probability of sentience makes welfare investment worthwhile. Research is advancing rapidly.

What You Can Do

If you consume crickets or insect products, choose producers with welfare statements
Support research into insect sentience and humane insect farming practices
Engage with insect farming organisations about developing welfare standards
Apply a precautionary approach - when uncertain about sentience, err toward better conditions
Reduce overall insect product consumption or choose well-welfare-managed brands
Follow the Insect Welfare Research Society and similar organisations for updates