Insect Farming: The Dark Side Of A Six-Legged Food Revolution
The insect farming industry has been widely promoted as a solution for sustainable protein production since the Food and Agriculture Organization’s 2013 report, Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security. However, a comprehensive review has found that the sector’s promises of environmental benefits, sustainability, and food security contributions may be largely overstated, while serious risks remain inadequately addressed.
Rather than replacing conventional animal proteins for human consumption, the European insect farming industry has primarily focused on producing feed for industrial farmed animal operations. Analysis shows that companies producing insects for human food raised 20 times less funding than those targeting animal feed production in 2024. This orientation effectively adds another layer to intensive farming practices rather than offering a true alternative to conventional animal agriculture.
The environmental benefits of insect farming have also been called into question. While early comparisons to beef production suggested significant advantages, more recent life cycle assessments indicate that insect protein production can actually have higher environmental impacts than conventional feed ingredients like soymeal. Most European producers rely on conventional crops and agricultural byproducts rather than true food waste, creating additional competition for resources that could be used directly for human or animal consumption.
Biosecurity concerns pose another significant challenge. The high-density farming of non-native insect species, particularly when genetically manipulated for enhanced productivity, raises risks of accidental releases that could disrupt local ecosystems. Evidence of hybridization between farmed and wild insects has already been documented, highlighting the potential for long-term ecological impacts.
The industry’s contribution to European food security is also questionable. Many major European insect producers are already planning to offshore production to regions with lower costs, such as Southeast Asia and North America. Additionally, 65% of companies selling insect products for human consumption in Europe import their insects from Asian countries, further undermining claims of enhanced food sovereignty.
Perhaps most concerning is the welfare of the trillions of insects being farmed annually. Recent scientific evidence suggests that some insect species, including those being farmed, may be capable of experiencing pain and suffering. Yet there are currently no comprehensive species-specific welfare standards in place to protect these animals. A 2023 Scientific Declaration on Insect Sentience and Welfare highlighted the urgent need for welfare measures, particularly given the massive scale of production.
The report recommends several policy actions, including reconsidering insect farming’s role in sustainable food policy in the European Union (E.U.), implementing rigorous safety checks for farms using food waste, developing comprehensive welfare standards, and ensuring clear labelling of products containing insects. It also calls for halting European investment in companies that offshore production and supporting alternative proteins with clearer environmental benefits.
Animal advocates will find this report illuminating, as it demonstrates that insect farming in its current form may be perpetuating rather than solving problems in our food system. Insects are often overlooked in discussions about animal agriculture, but the sheer scale of the industry and its associated risks warrant calls on decision-makers to proceed with caution. While the industry continues to attract investment and regulatory support, policymakers must carefully consider the full range of environmental, safety, and ethical implications before further expanding this sector in Europe and elsewhere.