Farmed Insect Welfare Science Update

Insect farming is growing rapidly as a sustainable protein source, raising urgent welfare questions about the capacity of insects to suffer.

Key Facts

Global insect farming produces approximately 1 million tonnes of protein annually and is growing rapidly
Black soldier fly larvae, mealworms and crickets are the dominant farmed species
Insects have nociceptors and show motivational responses to harmful stimuli
The Rethink Priorities invertebrate sentience report assigns low but non-trivial probability to insect sentience
High temperature killing methods including boiling and freezing are common and may be painful if insects are sentient
Carbon dioxide stunning is used in some facilities before freezing or boiling
The scale of insect farming means even low probability of sentience generates significant welfare concern

Welfare Considerations

Insect welfare science is in its early stages, but the scale of insect farming means even small improvements in welfare outcomes per individual multiply across enormous numbers. The precautionary principle suggests investing in humane killing methods and improved housing even under uncertainty about insect sentience. The welfare costs of excess caution are low; the welfare costs of ignoring possible insect suffering could be enormous.

What You Can Do

Support research into insect welfare and sentience to reduce moral uncertainty
Encourage insect farming companies to invest in welfare standards even under uncertainty
Apply the precautionary principle when choosing insect protein products
Advocate for welfare research requirements proportional to scale of production in insect farming regulation