Special Edition: Alternative Feed Proteins
Regulatory questions on insects in feed
When it comes to using bugs as a component in animal feed there have been questions raised about which insects to farm, what is the best substrate to rear them on and how scalable are the production facilities.
However, another line of inquiry is in relation to the regulatory side, such as the markets where insect-based proteins are approved for use.
We reported recently on how the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), which is headquartered in Nairobi, managed to get insect protein approved for use in animal feed in both Kenya and Uganda.
In July last year, FEFAC said insect meal could enhance the sustainability of European farmed fish production. Legislation to allow insect derived protein be used in EU fish feed only enter into force that month. Discussions continue at Brussels level with the aim of expanding the legislation to allow insect meal to be used in poultry and pig feed in the EU.
Canadian company, Enterra, received approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to sell its Black Soldier Fly larvae-based protein to salmonid producers in early 2017.
