NEWS ▶▶▶ New insect research laboratory launched in UK
Fera Science has invested £1m into creating a UK ‘first of its kind’ insect research laboratory at its base at a leading bioscience hub on the out- skirts of York. The expansion will see the busi- ness’s presence at York Biotech Campus grown by more than 2,000 square feet. One of the first in Europe, the laboratory will al- low Fera to upscale its current insect services and help meet the needs of clients from across the food industry by being able to show insect bioconversion at scale and replicate the nature of future factory insect farming. Insect biocon- version is the process of feeding insects waste to create additional materials, such as protein or fertiliser, and is a hugely sustainable practice that reduces waste, provides alternative food for animal feed and reduces the environmental im- pact of sourcing for protein in depleted areas, ultimately helping combat climate change. Re- cent analysis by Asia Research and Engagement has shown that increasing demand for meat and fish products, particularly in Asia, is expect- ed to lead to a 78% increase in meat and sea- food demand to 2050, putting pressure on cur-
rent animal feed protein sources such as soy and fishmeal. Primary protein production needs to increase by 50% until 2050 to meet this de- mand and 85% of arable land is already in use.
Circular economy Fera will offer its clients advice on how compa- nies can benefit from insect bioconversion to demonstrate their commitment to sustainabili- ty, as waste that usually ends in landfill can be used to benefit the circular economy as well as creating an additional revenue stream. Sine in- sect species, such as the black soldier fly (BSF) are well-suited for growth on a large scale. And with its historic close links to the public sector, the laboratory will collaborate closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and university partners, as well as start-ups and insect farms. The laboratory is expected to open later this summer. Damian Malins, Fera Science Venturing Projects direc- tor, said the laboratory would mean the busi- ness would be able to deliver far more to all its clients including the commercial and public
sector, as well as research partners. “What’s better is that we’re growing our base at York Biotech Campus. The campus sits at the heart of an agricultural region that is driving the cir- cular economy and bio-based industry. The collaboration it encourages is fantastic and through connections with other tenants and near neighbours we have already established links to food producers, community groups and agri-businesses who wish to explore the potential of insect farming as part of their net carbon zero objectives.” The announcement came in the same week that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in its annual report on global issues said that two billion people currently consumed insects worldwide, helping reduce carbon emissions. “There is a need to promote insect consump- tion more widely, including as animal feed. In- sects provide key ecosystem services including decomposition of organic matter, nutrient re- cycling, soil bioturbation and seed dispersal and can help to enhance soil quality and carbon sequestration.”
Relocating grain crops could turn carbon emission’s clock back 20 years
A new map has beeen produced showing where the world’s major food crops should be grown to maximise yield and minimise environ- mental impact. Scientists at the University of Cambridge say adopting such a policy would capture large amount of carbon, increase biodi- versity and cut agricultural use of fresh water to zero. The reimagined world map of agriculture includes large new farming areas for many ma- jor crops around the corn belt in the mid-west of the USA, and below the Sahara. Huge areas of farmland in Europe and India would be restored to natural habitat. Assuming that farming would be mechanised and high-input, the scientists say the redesign would cut the carbon impact of global crop- lands by 71%, by allowing land to revert to its natural, forested state. This is the equivalent of
capturing 20 years’ worth of current net CO2 emissions. In this optimised scenario the impact of crop production on the world’s biodiversity would be reduced by 87%, drastically reducing the risk of extinction for many species. The rede-
sign would eliminate the need for irrigation al- together by growing crops in places where rain- fall provides all the water they need to grow. The researchers used global maps of the current growing areas of 25 major crops, including wheat, barley and soybean. They developed a mathematical model to look at all possible ways to distribute this cropland across the globe, while maintaining overall production levels for each crop, allowing them to identify the option with the lowest environmental impact. Lead report author Dr Robert Beyer, former re- searcher at the university’s Department of Zool- ogy, said: “In many places, cropland has re- placed natural habitat that contained a lot of carbon and biodiversity – and crops don’t even grow very well there. If we let these places re- generate, and move production to better suited areas, we would see environmental benefits very quickly.” While a complete global relocation is a step too far, taking a pared down approach and only redistributing croplands within nation- al borders would still result in significant bene-
fits: global carbon impact would be reduced by 59% and the biodiversity impact would be 77% lower than at present. A third, even more realis- tic option of only relocating the worst-offending 25% of croplands nationally would still result in half of the benefits of optimally moving all crop- lands. The study finds that the optimal distribu- tion of croplands will change very little until the end of the century, irrespective of the specific ways in which the climate might change. Senior report author Professor Andrea Manica said: “Optimal cropping locations are not a mov- ing target. Areas where environmental foot- prints would be low and crop yields high, will largely remain optimal for the climate in the fu- ture.” The researchers say set-aside schemes that give farmers incentives to retire part of their land for environmental benefits and providing financial rewards for producers could help.
Funded by the European Research Council, the study is published in the journal Nature Commu- nications Earth and Environment
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