INSECT PRODUCERS CALL FOR EU FOOD HYGIENE STANDARDS AND


TAILORED-BEST PRACTICES Gathered in Copenhagen for the Workshop on ‘Good Hygiene Practices in insect production’ and the IPIFF General Assembly, the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) - the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of the insect production sector for food and feed – has reaffirmed the need to establish EU food hygiene standards for the insect sector, while fostering transparent communication along the food and feed chain. On the 27th of May 2019, IPIFF and DIN


(the Danish Insect Network) jointly organised a workshop which presented the IPIFF Guide on Good Hygiene Practices, as a tool to support the implementation of EU food & feed safety legislation by insect producers. Participants from across the European Union, but also from the United States, Israel and Switzerland, explored possible avenues for fostering cooperation between operators throughout the food and feed chain. In addition, the debates also focused on the main research gaps needed to be filled in order to broaden the regulatory options for using insects as food or feed at EU level. Presenting the IPIFF Guide on Good


Hygiene Practices, Mr Lars-Henrik Lau Heckmann (IPIFF Executive Committee Member and Head of Section - Insect & Protein Technology at DTI) explained that ‘this document’s goal is to assist insect producers to market safe products, in accordance with the general objectives of the food and feed hygiene legislation’. Being currently evaluated by the EU Members States in view of its endorsement, the document will be updated accordingly. Although this publication represents the work of IPIFF and its members, the association welcomes feedback from interested stakeholders. On the 28th of May, during the IPIFF


General Assembly, the members of the Brussels-based association reiterated the need for EU policymakers to step up actions on the topic of substrates suitable for insect farming. The very same subject has also been discussed during the Workshop, when participants underlined the need to prioritise research on matters related to insect farming. Such measures are necessary in order to substantiate future EU legislative developments, notably on the high circularity potential of the European insect sector. Introducing the meeting, Mr Antoine


Hubert - IPIFF President - indicated: ‘we are confident that the European institutions will soon move ahead with the authorisation of insects in poultry feed. Concurrently, investigations on the use of new substrates as feed for insects remains a key priority for our


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members’. Several research projects analysing the potential use of new substrates, notably former foodstuffs containing meat or fish, have been developed. Other initiatives evaluating the potential of other substrates, such as food losses from restaurants or catering firms, are underway. ‘As soon as the science- based evidence is complete, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can deliver its conclusions in order to pave the way for EU regulatory changes in these areas’. In the wake of the ongoing EU deliberations


on the revision of the EU food hygiene legislation (Regulation (EC) No 853/2004), foreseen to include specific standards for insects as food, the IPIFF President also emphasised the need to complement the existing EU regulatory framework on insects as food : ‘the establishment of such EU hygiene requirements is crucial for our sector - we need to facilitate the uniform application of the EU general legislation, while also ensuring that non-EU insect producers willing to place goods on the European market are subject to equivalent rules as those applied by European insect producers’.


DRY COW NUTRITION OFFERS SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES


FOR COST SAVINGS Taking steps to improve dry cow nutrition can significantly reduce incidences of metabolic disease within the herd, improving overall efficiency and profitability. Results from a trial, which compared metabolic disease incidence rates in cows fed a conventional dry cow diet, versus cows fed a high-fibre KEENAN MechFiber mix, suggest that producers should focus on delivering a consistent ration with optimum structure during the dry period. Based on a reduction in health issues


around calving, findings from the trial indicate that an average 148-head milking herd could expect to achieve a financial benefit in excess of £11,000/year. Chris Lord, U.K. InTouch manager for


Alltech says that because the milking herd takes priority, dry cow management is often left to chance, but this can prove costly. “Getting it wrong at this stage can


be detrimental. If cows aren’t adequately prepared for calving and the transition into lactation, they’re unlikely to achieve their full yield potential,” he explains. “There’s also an increased risk of metabolic diseases, such as displaced abomasums (DA), retained cleansings and milk fever.” The costs associated with these diseases,


both short and long-term, are high. “For example, a single case of a DA costs


producers around £439 per cow,” he explains. “This takes direct costs, such as increased herdsman time and veterinary bills, into account, as well as indirect costs associated with areas including reduced fertility and increased culling. “It’s also important to consider the


less obvious costs, which aren’t typically accounted for, such as the impact of a sick


cow on feed waste and underutilisation. One hundred percent of feed can be wasted while a cow is in the sick pen and not producing milk, which can have a major impact on the bottom line.” Mr Lord says focusing on nutrition during


the dry period can reduce incidences of metabolic diseases – as well as their associated costs. “The primary aim is to maintain body condition. A high-fibre, controlled energy diet with a crude protein content of between 13–14% is recommended. “Ration consistency is key to ensuring


that cows receive a stable and controlled intake of nutrients. And feeding a thoroughly mixed but not over-processed TMR, with an optimal chop length of between 4 and 6 centimetres, is proven to reduce metabolic diseases.” During the trial, cases of retained


placentas decreased by more than 50% – from 10.7% to 4.6% – and incidences of milk fever dropped from 9.9% to 2.5% in cows receiving KEENAN’s unique MechFiber mix. It is also important to ensure that the diet


provides adequate levels of minerals and trace elements, which play a critical role in a host of body processes. “Calcium status is vital, along with trace


elements, including selenium, zinc and copper, which have an integral role in supporting immune function,” explains Mr Lord. “When it comes to traces minerals, the


form in which they’re supplied is key. For example, including organic forms such as Bioplex®


and Sel-Plex® they mimic nature’s own form.”


F O R F A R M E R S ‘ H I G H L Y commE N D E D ’ At t h E INTERNATIONAL ANTIBIOTIC


GUARDIAN AWARDS ForFarmers has been ‘highly commended’ in the very competitive Animal Health, Agriculture and Food Supply category at the 2019 Antibiotic Guardian awards. Steven Read, COO at ForFarmers commented: “Our progress so far comes down to our ability to leverage our international experience, in particular learning from the Netherlands which has already seen major changes to legislation around in-feed medication. We’ve also driven some really ambitious work from our Nutrition Innovation Centre (NIC) based in the Netherlands which we’ve then, crucially, tested practically on farm in the UK. “Last year we partnered with the


Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, to deliver a series of producer workshops designed to offer practical advice to farmers on strategies to improve health thereby reducing the use of antimicrobial medication including management advice, nutritional strategies, the use of organic acid complexes and improving water quality.” By the end of 2018, the percentage of feed containing prescribed medication sold to ForFarmers’ UK pig customers had reduced by a further 27%.”


is preferable because


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