The emerging insect protein industry raises novel welfare questions as billions of insects are farmed and processed under conditions whose welfare implications are poorly characterized.
Insect farming welfare uncertainty reflects genuine scientific limits: whether insects have subjective experiences capable of suffering remains genuinely contested. Evidence that insects show nociception (avoiding harm), learn from aversive experiences, and show behavioral complexity suggests some precautionary consideration is warranted. The scale of insect farming — billions per facility — means that even a small probability of welfare-relevant suffering multiplied by enormous numbers creates significant expected harm. Research and welfare standards development are both urgently needed.