Not a smooth road ahead for insect use in feed

Livestock feed containing insect products is currently relatively expensive compared to conventional feed, as insects are currently mainly processed in pet food and fish feed. In these two markets a higher margin can be achieved and consumers are willing to pay higher prices than livestock farmers can afford. Christiaan Buitink, ForFarmers poultry product manager and nutritionist, said legislation is still a problem:

“Insects are now equal to pigs, chickens and cows by law. As a result, you are only allowed to feed them certain raw materials that are also suitable for these other animals. Many residual streams that could be suitable as insect food do not qualify as such.”

Dr Pattanapong Tiwasing, researcher at Scotland’s Rural College, is calling on the UK’s Food Standards Agency to urgently introduce a new “UK-specific transitional measure” to allow the insect sector to survive in the country. Pattanapong, who comes from Thailand, where eating insects as a snack is commonplace, said:

“The introduction of new and evolving EU regulations to edible insect products has muddled the waters, leading to confusing procedures for those looking to trade and export edible insects. This has been particularly impactful following Brexit because it means there are currently no regulations for the edible insect (for human consumption) industry, and it is therefore illegal to sell insects for human consumption in the UK. Policymakers need to take urgent action in order for the insect industry to survive in Europe and the UK,” said the researcher.