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Beyond Vertebrates: Developing Validated Welfare Standards and Ethical Guidelines for Invertebrate Management in Captivity, Farming and Research
Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Ellen Williams
University of Registration: Harper Adams University
BBSRC Research Themes: Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Animal Health and Welfare)
Project Outline
Animal welfare has traditionally focused on vertebrates, but recent studies and societal shifts have prompted increased interest in the welfare of invertebrates. Invertebrates, such as insects, arachnids, and molluscs, are increasingly used in a variety of contexts: as companion animals, in zoos, in outreach and educational settings, and in research. There has also been a boom in the prevalence of farmed insects for human consumption, alongside breeding them as live animal feed. There is a paucity of scientific data on the welfare needs of invertebrates and their capacity for suffering or sentience remains limited. The range of settings in which invertebrates are kept, the numbers of invertebrates kept and few regulations in their care leave invertebrates exposed to the potential for poor welfare experiences. Particularly with the growth of insect farming for food and feed, it is crucial to understand and improve their welfare. This project will establish baseline data on the current handling, management, and welfare conditions of invertebrates in a range of contexts and develop best practice guidelines informed by empirical evidence. The research will bridge the gap between current practices and the emerging understanding of invertebrate welfare, ultimately contributing to more ethical and scientifically grounded management of these animals.
Objectives
1. Survey of Current Practices:
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- Assess the current handling, management, and housing conditions for invertebrates in zoos, as companion animals, and at outreach events.
- Evaluate welfare conditions in insect farming, focusing on species such as crickets, mealworms, and black soldier flies.
- Investigate how invertebrates are used in research and the ethical considerations surrounding these practices.
2. Behavioural Studies on Invertebrate Sentience:
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- Conduct laboratory-based behavioural experiments to explore potential indicators of sentience and identify behavioural indicators of welfare in select invertebrate species.
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- Examine how behavioural responses may relate to welfare needs and inform ethical considerations.
3. Development of Best Practice Guidelines:
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- Formulate best practice guidelines for the care and management of invertebrates across different contexts.
- Include guidelines for ethical treatment and welfare standards in insect farming and research settings.
4. Ethical Framework Development:
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- Develop an ethical framework for invertebrate welfare, considering their use as food, in research, and as companion or display animals.
- Consider the implications of invertebrate sentience for welfare regulations and ethical practices.
Methods
The project will use a combination of surveys, stakeholder interviews, and literature reviews to assess current invertebrate welfare practices and identify knowledge gaps. Laboratory-based behavioural experiments will be conducted to study indicators of stress, cognition and behavioural indicators of animal emotions, while ethical considerations will be evaluated using established frameworks, refined through collaboration with ethicists and welfare scientists.
Expected Outcomes
- Identification of validated indicators of welfare in a suite of invertebrates
- Establishment of a comprehensive baseline of current welfare conditions and practices for invertebrates in various settings.
- Development and dissemination of best practice guidelines for invertebrate welfare in zoos, as companion animals, and in insect farming.
- Enhanced understanding of the potential for sentience in invertebrates and its implications for welfare and ethical practices.
- Contribution to the broader discourse on invertebrate welfare and its integration into animal welfare policies and regulations.
Key References
- Delvendahl N, et al (2022) Edible Insects as Food-Insect Welfare and Ethical Aspects from a Consumer Perspective. Insects. 13(2):121.
- Gibbons et al (2022) Can insects feel pain? A review of the neural and behavioural evidence. Advances in Insect Physiology. 63:155-229.
