Insect derived protein meal has a similar amino acid profile to fishmeal and can be used in broiler diets with no effect on weight gain or FCR, found a UK research project.
A newly published survey of farmers, agriculture sector stakeholders and consumers shows attitudes towards the idea of using insects in animal feed were generally favorable.
Firms behind insect derived protein for animal feed have joined forces in a trade association to tackle existing EU legislative bottlenecks and ensure that stakeholders are fully aware of the sector’s production methods and regulatory adherence.
The EU market for insect feed should be up and running in around 18 months from now, with all necessary legislative boxes ticked, says the head of a larvae to feed company that is just about to kick-start commercial scale production in South Africa.
Barentz Animal Nutrition, which has just acquired its JV partner, AgriNutrition, is aiming to be the leading specialty feed ingredient distributor in Europe by extending its geographical reach, and investing in new protein sources such as insect and bacterial...
Indications from trials assessing the safety of using insects for feed show fly larvae contain very high levels of heavy metals, putting their use as a potential protein source for pigs and poultry at risk.
EFSA experts say they need more information before they can go ahead with an assessment of the risks arising from the production and consumption of insects as feed and food.
