Welfare Science

Farmed Insect BSFL Welfare and Standards

Welfare standards for black soldier fly larvae farming and the evidence base for their sentience and suffering capacity.

Key Facts

Black soldier fly larvae are farmed globally for animal feed and organic waste processing
Evidence of nociception in BSFL is limited but precautionary standards are emerging
Stocking density, temperature, substrate quality, and slaughter method are key welfare parameters
IPIFF and other industry bodies are developing welfare guidelines for insect farming
Consumer interest in insect welfare as a food system issue is growing

Welfare Considerations

Given the billions of insects farmed globally, precautionary welfare standards for BSFL represent a low-cost insurance against potentially vast scale suffering.

What You Can Do

Support organisations developing insect welfare standards
Choose insect products from companies with published welfare commitments
Advocate for inclusion of insect welfare in farmed animal welfare legislation