Humane Harvesting.
Producers who commit to the Responsibly Raised Insects policy are required to follow best practices for their existing harvesting method, ensuring that the method they use is as rapid as possible and follows best practices for welfare. For depopulation, they must commit to either use the same slaughter method as their routine method, or use grinding.
In routine harvesting, producers commit to using the best available information for ensuring that the method they use is as rapid as possible. Producer must follow the following:
If grinding is used for slaughter of black soldier fly larvae or yellow mealworms, follow existing guidance on the best methods for grinding these larvae.
For any culling (e.g., due to disease, failure to thrive, or old age) event, Use the same processing methods and procedures used for other insects on their farms or use a protocol specifically designed for humane culling in their species.
If grinding is used for depopulation of black soldier flies, follow existing guidance on the best methods for grinding insects.
Commit to review their harvesting methods every two years and, after these reviews, will update their methods with the available scientific evidence to improve animal welfare.
