Dr Heather Campbell

CASE: Developing evidence-based methods to assess and improve the welfare of farmed insects

University of Registration: Harper Adams University

Non-academic partner: Royal Entomological Society

Secondary Supervisor(s): Simon Ward (Royal Entomological Society), Dr Ellen Williams, Dr Jessica Stokes (Royal Entomological Society), Dr Simon Segar

Project Outline

Insect farming is expanding for food and animal feed. Scientific understanding of insect welfare remains limited, although an emerging body of research is beginning to provide guidance for some farmed species. Farmed insects may be kept in very large numbers and exposed to challenges associated with housing, stocking density, environmental conditions, handling, transport and processing. There is therefore a need to develop practical, evidence-based methods to assess welfare and identify ways of improving it.

This project will develop and validate methods for assessing and improving the welfare of farmed insects. It will combine surveys and stakeholder engagement with controlled laboratory experiments using selected farmed insect species. The research will first characterise current management practices and identify potential welfare risks and priorities for research. Behavioural responses to relevant environmental and management conditions will then be investigated to identify candidate indicators of welfare. Where appropriate, physiological measures will also be examined.

Candidate indicators will be assessed for their reliability, repeatability and sensitivity to changes in conditions. Selected management interventions will then be tested to determine whether they improve welfare-related outcomes while maintaining acceptable production performance. The project will generate new evidence on how farming conditions affect insects and provide a stronger scientific basis for welfare assessment. Findings will be used to develop practical recommendations for insect producers and other stakeholders.

The project will be undertaken in partnership with the Royal Entomological Society, which already has a dedicated project officer working on insect welfare and is publishing research and resources in this area. This places the Society in a strong position to help develop and spearhead research and knowledge exchange on insect welfare.