Ensuring insects for feed are free of animal materials
Production of insects for livestock feed is expanding in Europe, North America, Australia and other jurisdictions around the world. But what’s fed – or might be fed in the future – to these insects is an important part of acceptance of insects-as-feed, an acceptance which the industry depends on for continued growth.
BY TREENA HEIN, INDEPENDENT CORRESPONDENT P
roduction of insects for livestock feed ingredients is moving forward steadily around the world. The ability of insects to efficiently transform food waste into nutritious livestock feed ingredients is
accurately building perceptions among consumers that insect production for feed is both extremely sustainable and safe in a food safety sense. What is currently fed to insects around the world is food waste that contains no animal-based materials such as slaughter plant by-products, but this may change in the future. As those in the feed industry are aware, serious food safety concerns linger about using animal matter in livestock feed. In the UK in the 1980s, a deadly outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was caused by the incorporation of bovine meat, bonemeal and especially nervous system tissue into livestock feed. The BSE epidemic led to a ban in the EU on using processed animal protein (PAP) from non-ruminants (pigs and poultry) in feed destined only for non-ruminants (pigs and poultry). This ban has now been lifted. Also banned was using PAP from ruminants such as cows for feeding to any type of farmed animal, including insects, and it may never be allowed again. However, PAP from all types of livestock is used for pet food and various other uses.
In Australia, the insect production industry is well established and growing. 18
▶ FEED SAFETY | APRIL 2022
Australia In Australia, the insect production industry is well established and growing. To ensure the supply chain for insect feed is kept free of animal-based materials, the industry in Australia
PHOTO: GOTERRA
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