There is preliminary evidence to show that some species of insects can experience emotional states, therefore suggesting they are sentient beings and may experience positive or negative welfare. This places a duty on humans to ensure that our treatment of farmed insect species is as humane as possible.

SPCA advocates for increased research into the physical, health and behavioural needs of farmed insect species, to inform industry best practices and legal protections.

SPCA advocates that no insect species should be farmed unless their physical, health, and behavioural needs can be met in a practical farming situation. This requires a thorough understanding of the species and the creation of an appropriate and safe environment.

SPCA advocates for humane methods of stunning and slaughter of insects.

Farmed insects are currently slaughtered without stunning. SPCA is concerned that the current methods of slaughtering farmed insects through grinding, baking, roasting, freezing, microwaving, blanching or boiling and asphyxiation do not render them instantly insensible before death. Research is needed to identify humane methods of stunning and slaughter for insect species.