THE EUROPEAN INSECT SECTOR TODAY: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND REGULATORY LANDSCAPE - IPIFF vision paper on the future of the insect sector ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE EUROPEAN INSECT SECTOR TODAY:
CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES
AND REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
IPIFF vision paper on the future of
the insect sector towards 2030
Global and European perspective
With the world population expected to exceed 9.7 billion by 2050, food
production needs to increase by 70%1. Yet already today, the food
system is under pressure. Insect protein responds to the demand for
sustainable and high-quality protein to feed a growing population.
One-third of food is wasted, uptake and show promising
either rotting in consumers’ results in terms of animal growth
and retailers’ bins or spoiling performance. This supports
due to poor transportation their use as a complementary
and harvesting practices, source material in feed formula
according to the for aquaculture and livestock
Food and Agriculture animals.
Organization (FAO)2.
In the EU alone, close to Some insects also contain
90 million tonnes of food bioactive components like lauric
1/3 of food is is wasted per year and this is acid, antimicrobial peptides
wasted expected to rise3. and chitin which have immune-
boosting properties. Preliminary
Global demand for animal products results have shown that certain
is expected to more than double bioactive insect components
between 2000 and 2050 so animal led to improved immunity and
feed production is increasingly reduced mortality rates when
competing for resources with used in aquaculture feed e.g. for
human food and fuel production. shrimp and salmon.
Today, a high share of animal feed
in the EU is imported. Insect protein Preliminary studies7 have
2 is approved for fish farming in the shown that insects have a
EU and could provide a solution to lower environmental footprint
feeding other livestock in the future. compared to other livestock
animals. Insect producers
The market for insect production is and research institutes are
growing steadily with economists collaborating to generate more
forecasting a 20% increase over data.
the next five years4.
Insects as animal feed
Insects are a natural component
1 Food and Agriculture Organization
of the diets of animals such as
(FAO): http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/ carnivorous fish, poultry and pigs.
templates/wsfs/docs/expert_paper/ They are high in protein – from 50%
How_to_Feed_the_World_in_2050.pdf to 82% (as a dry product)5 – and
2 FAO: http://www.fao.org/save-food/
can be added to animal feed – with
resources/keyfindings/en up to 40% insect content for fish
3 Estimates of European food waste feed and 30% for chicken feed.
levels (2016): http://www.eu-fusions.
org/phocadownload/Publications/
Insect products have an amino acid
Estimates%20of%20European%20
food%20waste%20levels.pdf profile that makes them highly-
4 digestible for animals. The amino
Meticulous Research (2018): https://
www.meticulousresearch.com/edible- acid profiles of most insect species
insects-market-2023 tested in feed formula for farmed
5 Rumpold and Schluter (2013) fish show a good correlation with
Levels may vary across species and the fish’s specific needs6.
production processes (Fasakin et al. Insects also promote nutrient
(2003); Banjo et al. (2006))
6 Hasan (2001); NRC (2011); Alegbeleye
et al. (2012)
7 E.g. Oonincx and de Boer (2012)
The insect market Pet food
today Pet food is a mainstream market
for European insect producers.
Insect products are well-suited to
Insects in animal feed the particular needs of pet food,
due to their high digestibility and
Today insect protein is used in fish feed and palatability. Several European
pet food. The next step will be to authorise the pet food companies already
use of insect protein for poultry feed and other incorporate insects in their feed
livestock. formula, notably as a means to
diversify their products’ range
Fish feed e.g. in hypoallergenic products.
This trend is expected to continue
Fish farming, or aquaculture, is expected to to grow in the next few years.
provide 62% of the global fish supply by 20308.
This means the demand for fish meal and Poultry feed
fish oil to feed farmed fish is also increasing.
Changing climatic conditions in Peru have Today insect proteins cannot
affected the availability of fish meal and fish be fed to poultry as legislation
oil, leading to a decline in availability and high passed after the BSE crisis in the
volatility on the market. Processed animal late 1990s prevents processed
proteins (PAPs) which are allowed to be used animal proteins from being fed
in fish feed, are not yet included in many of to livestock11. Only fishmeal may
the feed products on the market today. Insect be used. And yet, over 90% of
protein has similar characteristics to PAPs and EU insect feed producers see
provides a good, sustainable alternative. poultry feed as a ‘promising
opportunity’12.
3
The demand for formulated fish
feed presents an opportunity for
the insect sector. In July 2017, insect
proteins from seven insect species9
were authorised in the EU for use in
aqua feed, opening new feed markets
8
for insect producers. Like other farmed FAO (2014): http://
www.fao.org/news/
animals, these insect species may only story/en/item/213522/
be fed with ‘feed grade materials’ such as icode
materials of plant origin, processed eggs, milk 9 Black soldier fly (Hermetia
and their derived products. illucens), common housefly
(Musca domestica), yellow
Above 5,000 tonnes of insect protein have mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), lesser
mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus),
been commercialised by European insect house cricket (Acheta domesticus),
producers in total, since the authorisation of banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus)
insect proteins for use in aqua feed. Today, the and field cricket (Gryllus assimilis)
aqua feed market consumes more than 50% 10 IPIFF questionnaire – October 2018
of European animal feed made from insects 11 Commission Regulation (EU) No 56/2013:
and this is expected to increase in the coming https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
years.10 TXT/?uri=celex%3A32013R0056
12 IPIFF internal questionnaire - September 2019
Insects as food
Testimonial: Alexander Döring, for human
Secretary General of the European
Feed Manufacturers’ Federation
consumption
(FEFAC) In many parts of the world, insects
are part of the diet, for at least
”Insect protein has been successfully two billion people according to
incorporated into aquafeed the FAO. Elsewhere, the way we
formulations since the EU’s approval in 2017. eat is changing and the number
Nutritionally, insect protein has proved to be a highly- of people willing to try insect-
valued complementary source and its demand may only based food is increasing. This
increase as adequate supply is created. Its approval in poultry trend is supported by positive
feed will most certainly be instrumental in making it an interesting media coverage and greater
additional source of protein. While insect protein is not expected availability of insect products.
to replace current protein sources, it is important that the sector
continues to perform research on the nutritional value of its The nutritional benefits and
products, e.g. to adapt to various animal species, age or low environmental stress of
livestock production systems, as well as risk assessments insects further boost the trend.
on feed safety, including process technology and the Flexitarians eat less meat and
use of innovative substrates which do not compete with are generally more aware of
traditional feed ingredients.” food sourcing and sustainability,
as are those buying organic
products or following a paleo
Consumer perception diet. This change in attitudes
(PROteINSECT Project) around food creates new
In a 2014/2015 opportunities for the insect
survey undertaken by protein sector.
4 PROteINSECT13:
• 70% of respondents said The growing demand for
that it is acceptable to feed high protein food for sport
insect protein to farmed nutrition, dietetic food or in food
animals including fish supplements creates further
• 73% would be willing to opportunities. Currently, these
eat fish, chicken or pork are niche markets but are
from animals fed on a diet forecasted to grow rapidly in the
containing insect protein next few years.
Insects can be used in a
range of ways. They can be
incorporated in food as whole
insects in fried or dried form,
whole insects processed into
a granular powder or paste
to increase nutritional value
or functionality, all the way to
extracted products, for example
as protein applied to food.
Yet, insects are not expected
to replace meat in our diets
entirely. The varied eating
styles and diets across
Europe mean a wide
variety of products and
ingredients are needed.
13 PROteINSECT Report Summary
(2016): https://cordis.europa.eu/
search/en Photo credit: Proti-Farm
Nutritional
characteristics14
Rich in protein and
essential amino acids
Good source of
unsaturated fats
(e.g. good Omega
3:6 balance)
Rich in vitamins and
minerals
(vitamins A, B, B12,
magnesium, iron…)
Prebiotic fibres like chitin
provide nutrients for
probiotic gut bacteria
Digestibility is higher
than many vegetable-
based protein sources
but slightly lower than
traditional animal protein
sources 5
Testimonial: Jonas House, Lecturer at Wageningen University,
Sociology of Consumption and Households, Expert in public acceptance
of insects as food
”Considering the innovation adoption curve (see graph below) in relationship
to the acceptance of insects as food, the ‘yuck factor’ is not the main
issue we should focus on. To achieve wider market acceptance, producers
and advocates should
focus on the high
satisfaction of early
adopters. The ‘early
majority’ of consumers
will be drawn to insect
consumption if others
lead by example.
They will be convinced
14 The nutritional
when told by family
values of edible
and friends, “I have
insects are
tried this delicious variable across
insect dish, you should species and
try it too!”” production
Innovation adoption curve processes
Main trends supporting the development of the European insect sector
6
Main challenges for these factors will lead to reliable
supply and stable quality while
the industry today increasing production capacity
in Europe.
As in all emerging sectors, the
insect protein industry faces some By increasing the scale of
challenges which IPIFF is working production, insect farmers will
to overcome, supported by its be able to increase the price
members. competitiveness and stability
of their products compared to
1. Need to upscale other sources of protein.
To reach its full potential, the insect By September 2019, European
industry needs to scale up. This insect producers had raised
can readily be achieved due to the more than €600 million through
exponential reproduction rate and investments and are expecting
short life cycle of insects. to raise more than €2.5 billion
by the mid-2020s.
Automation and controlled
production systems will make insect
production less labour-intensive.
Insect producers are already on
track as significant investments are
being made in semi-automated
systems in Europe.
The ideal conditions are being
developed for insects to thrive in,
taking into account factors such
as their optimum temperature and
humidity requirements. Mastering
Over 6,000 tonnes of insect protein are produced in Europe annually and by 2030, IPIFF
expects it to be around 3 million tonnes. With the right legislative framework, the sector
can grow to around 5 million tonnes a year (Scenario 1). This would require diversifying the
substrates authorised for insect farming and opening the poultry and swine feed markets for
insect-derived protein earlier than anticipated. However, if these legislative changes are not
made, the sector’s growth would decelerate to around 2 million tonnes of protein per year by
2030 (Scenario 2).
Source: IPIFF internal questionnaire September 2019
With 3 million tonnes of insect protein (IPIFF forecast for 2030) produced in Europe, fewer 7
imports of high-protein feed materials would be needed and the expansion of agricultural
land outside the EU would be minimised, saving an area the size of Belgium.
Source: IPIFF questionnaire October 2018
2. Addressing consumers’ expectations
Livestock farmers in the EU have to meet consumers’ expectations for safe, nutritious
and high-quality products of animal origin. They are also expected to address societal
challenges such as reducing the use of antibiotics. Insect producers must therefore
produce nutritious and high-quality products in order to respond to these new
demands.
3. Regulatory challenges foodstuff containing meat,
fish or food losses originating
Food and feed safety is essential from restaurants or catering
for the insect industry. Like any establishments. These restrict the
food or feed company in Europe, market and efforts are ongoing
insect producers have to follow to broaden the opportunities
principles established under the available.
General Food Law, the cornerstone
of the European Food Safety risk The legal framework was
management policy. identified by IPIFF in its 2019
questionnaire as the main factor
• Responsibility for the safety of the impacting the growth of the
feed/food placed on the market lies insect sector.
with individual feed/food business
operators
• Traceability of products must be
ensured
In the EU today, the
opportunities for using and
feeding insects are still
quite limited. Insects are
for example not allowed
to be used as feed
for poultry and pigs
and may not be
fed with former
8
Source: IPIFF internal questionnaire September 2019
Insect farming is changing
the traditional waste
hierarchy Insect producers use co-products
from the grains, starch, fruit and
Currently, one-third of all food is wasted. vegetable supply chains, such as
Measures are being taken to create a bran, distillers grains, unsold fruit
healthier, more sustainable food production and vegetables, including peels
and consumption system which produces less and other by-products, as well
waste. as products arising from the food
manufacturing process (other than
To reach that goal, the European Commission final products). In addition, insects
launched the Food 2030 research and also rely on unused outputs from
innovation policy which responds to the UN local food processors, e.g. biscuits or
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). pastry, local artisans e.g. bakers or
SDG 12, ‘Ensure Sustainable Consumption products from supermarkets which
and Production Patterns’, is relevant for the are unsold for technical or logistical
insect sector. It addresses ways to be more reasons. These products have low
sustainable, to reduce environmental impacts environmental footprints because
and encourages consumers to shift to more they are co-products of the food
nutritious and safe diets. chain and do not require any new
processes for their production.
Insect farming contributes to tackling these
societal challenges by feeding insects with co- Generally, the substrate used in
products from the agri-food industries and insect farms is a mixture of different
with resources which are currently not being ingredients, providing a balanced
used and not or no longer destined for human diet for the different life-stages of the
consumption, so-called ‘former foodstuff’. larvae.
9
Substrates used by IPIFF members
to feed their insects
By turning lower-value materials and ingredients with low environmental footprints into high-
value materials, such as proteins, insect producers offer a new outlet and a sustainable
alternative for unexploited or underexploited resources, in accordance with the waste
hierarchy principles.
Such underexploited resources are by-products, has been declining
growing due to the competition in the EU in recent years15. EU
faced by EU cereal producers from producers of cereal by-products
other neighbouring countries e.g. need to secure new markets for
Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. their outputs. Insects can be fed
Agri-food companies active in these with these by-products and as
sectors are seeking new outputs for such constitute a new market,
their products and by-products. which does not compete with
and is complementary to the
Furthermore, cattle production, feed industry.
traditionally the main market for
Insects can add a new layer to the
waste hierarchy
10
15 Short-term outlook for EU
agricultural markets in 2019 and 2020:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/ Closing the loop
files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/
documents/short-term-outlook-
autumn-2019_en.pdf
The European Commission adopted European insect producers
16 EU Circular Economy Package:
a Circular Economy Package16 are already contributing to the
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/
to help European businesses and development of a more Circular
circular-economy/ consumers use resources in a more Economy by selecting substrates
17 sustainable way. The initiative from local partners in a small
More on: ipiff.org
recommends clarifying EU legislation geographical area. Through
18Membership data from October to ensure that former foodstuff these partnerships, producers
2018
and by-products from the agri- maintain a network of activity in
food chain may be used in feed rural and agricultural areas.
production.IPIFF - The IPIFF’s objectives are to:
• Promote insects as a top-tier
International source of nutrients for food and feed
• Consolidate dialogue with EU
Platform of Insects public authorities and advocate for
appropriate legislative frameworks
for Food and Feed without discrimination in EU Member
States in order to maximise
opportunities for insect producers
The International Platform of Insects for • Support insect producers in the
Food and Feed17 (IPIFF) represents the insect effective implementation of food and
production sector to EU policymakers, feed safety legislation
European food and feed chain stakeholders • Promote and develop shared
and citizens. standards and best practices
IPIFF’s 55 members, from 18 European IPIFF’s activities are articulated
countries18, are mostly small and medium-sized around three main pillars:
enterprises producing insects for the European • Promoting the use of insects and
market. advocating for an appropriate
legislative framework
“Education is a • Supporting the development of the
insect sector
global priority for • Communicating the benefits of
insect farming and eating insects and cooperating with
all stakeholders
insect consumption.
Delivering insect-
positive messages
11
and information to
the public is vital to
moving the industry
forward in a positive
way.“
IPIFF President, Antoine Hubert1. IPIFF promotional
and advocacy Taking care of food
activities towards hygiene and consumer
adapting existing safety
EU policies and Food hygiene legislation and EU
legislation legislation on food information
for consumers need to be revised
to include the insect sector.
Adapting EU policies and
legislation Through its Working Group on
‘Food Safety and Consumers’
IPIFF developed a three-step plan Information’, IPIFF is participating
to have insect protein authorised actively in the preparation and
for animal feed and to allow new development of EU hygiene
substrates to be used for feeding standards for the production
insects. The first step of the plan, and processing of insects for
authorising the use of insect human consumption (Regulation
proteins in aqua feed, has been 853/2004 laying down specific
completed and the next targets are hygiene rules for food of animal
part of IPIFF’s work programme. origin).
IPIFF works through a number of The group provides guidance
working groups, drawing on the to IPIFF members on the
expertise of its members and the implementation of the ‘general’
12 secretariat in Brussels. EU food labelling rules and
IPIFF roadmap on the use of insects in animal feed
19 Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (28
January 2002) and Regulation (EC) No
852/2004 (29 April 2004)
20 Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 (12
January 2005)
21 More information on IPIFF’s website:
http://ipiff.org/insects-novel-food-eu-
legislationsuggests legislative adaptations to develop Through its Task Force on ‘Insect
tailor-made regulatory provisions for insect Frass and Fertilisers’, IPIFF is
products. These include the labelling of assisting its members to fulfil
potential allergens and the denomination of national authorisation procedures.
insect ingredients on prepackaged products. It is also defining standards for
insect frass products to qualify as
In July 2019, IPIFF published a guidance fertilisers under the new EU fertiliser
document on EU food labelling standards legislation.
applicable to insects and insect-based
products, anticipating the first novel food IPIFF presented its Contribution Paper
authorisations, expected in 2020. on the application of insect frass as
a fertilising product in agriculture in
September 2019 - listing the main
IPIFF’s priorities are to have: priorities of our association with
• Sufficiently robust standards to ensure regards to the transition towards
safety conditions are met while ensuring these a level-playing field for the use of
can be realistically enforced frass across the EU.
• Appropriate procedures in place to ensure
imports of insect products into the EU comply
with appropriate EU food and feed safety 2. IPIFF support
standards
activities
Going organic with insect products
EU general requirements for
The organic market is growing and is an feed hygiene and animal
opportunity for insect producers to offer a health
higher-value product. Insect products intended
for food or feed are not yet eligible for EU The general requirements for food
organic certification as currently there are no
standards defined in EU legislation.
hygiene19 and animal health20 apply 13
to insect production. Insects kept
in the EU for the production of
However, the Directorate-General of Agriculture food, feed or other purposes are
and Rural Development is currently developing considered ‘farmed animals’. Under
rules for the organic certification of insect the relevant legislation, animals in the
production activities. To this end, IPIFF has put EU may only be fed with safe feed.
forward its Contribution Paper, summarising However, EU animal welfare rules do
key elements which should be considered for not currently apply to insects.
such standards. Our association continues to
promote the use of insect-derived ingredients
in the diet of organic aquaculture, poultry or EU Novel Food legislation
swine animals.
The EU’s Novel Food legislation
Through its Task Force on ‘Organic Farming represents an opportunity for
and Insects’, IPIFF and its members are the insect sector as it provides
investigating appropriate standards for harmonised rules and a simplified
organic insect production for dissemination decision-making process.
at future discussions between the European
Commission services and Member States. IPIFF helps insect producers
comply with food and feed safety
legislation. The IPIFF ‘Task Force on
Making the most of insect by- Novel Food’ was created to help
products producers of insects intended for
human consumption fulfil their legal
Currently, lengthy and complex authorisation obligations under the EU Novel Food
procedures are needed at national level to use legislation.
by-products from insect production like insect
frass (or faeces). A package of two guideline
documents21 has been published. The
A new EU legislative proposal was adopted in Administrative Guidelines provide
summer 2019, harmonising the conditions for an overview of the different steps
marketing fertilising products on an EU-wide to be followed by insect producers
scale.when applying for authorisation. Europe Framework Programme
The Scientific Guidelines summarise (FP 9) starting in 2020 is a key
the scientific evidence which can be resource in this development.
presented by insect producers to FP 9 offers an opportunity to
support their application. bring researchers and insect
producers together and to open
In August 2019, an updated version up new markets.
of the Briefing Paper on Novel
Food was published, presenting IPIFF has presented the research
up-to-date information on priorities of the European insect
the procedures related to the sector to a public consultation
authorisation of a novel food, organised by the European
the state of the applications and Commission, as part of defining
possible future forecasts for 2020. the future of the Horizon Europe
Research and Innovation
Guide to Good Hygiene Programme.
Practices
The European Commission
In November 2016, IPIFF members published a ‘Protein Report
launched a ‘Task Force on Good for Europe’ in November 2018.22
Hygiene Practices’. The aim was The report underlines the
to help insect producers effectively importance of cultivating plant-
apply EU food and feed safety based proteins such as those
legislation, while encouraging them from leguminous plants, e.g.
to develop a robust food and feed
safety management system.
In February 2019, IPIFF
14 published the first Guide
on Good Hygiene
Practices (GGHP) for
insect production.
m
The document
ar
ti-F
covers all production
Pro
steps from feeding the
:
dit
insects, breeding, killing
cre
and processing, storage or
oto
Ph
transport activities, up to the
final delivery of the product to
consumers or feed manufacturers.
pulses. IPIFF sees this plan as
While this publication has already
an opportunity to promote the
been sent to the EU Member
use of locally-produced proteins,
States’ experts on this topic, its
while also including alternative
endorsement is targeted in 2020.
sources such as insect protein
even though they represent a
Encouraging research and small proportion of the protein
22 Report on the development of
plant proteins in the European Union -
local supply chains supply today. However, insect
November 2018: https://ec.europa.eu/ protein sources meet the needs
info/food-farming-fisheries/plants-and- Although IPIFF’s main mission is of certain animal species and
plant-products/plant-products/cereals/ not to participate in European
development-plant-proteins_en
bring complementary value to
research projects, IPIFF works to plant proteins23.
23 IPIFF contribution on the secure appropriate EU funding for
development of a European Protein
Plan (28 September 2018)
developing the insect sector, while In the context of ongoing
24 Advisory Group – Food Chain and
contributing to the dissemination of discussions on the EU Protein
research projects to stakeholders. Plan, IPIFF made the following
Animal and Plant Health: https://
ec.europa.eu/food/expert-groups/ag- recommendations:
ap/adv-grp_fchaph_en IPIFF encourages research activities
25 Stakeholders – support and help which enhance the competitiveness • EU research projects should
to guide our work: https://www.efsa. of the sector and enable innovation allow the opening of new
europa.eu/en/engage/stakeholders and upscaling. The next Horizon markets for insects• Agri-environmental measures should Looking beyond Europe
be established in the framework of rural
development programmes such as the CAP IPIFF works with regional insect
post-2020. This would support farmers associations such as the Asian Food
who diversify their activities towards insect and Feed Insect Association (AFFIA),
production, as well as supporting local the Insect Protein Association of
initiatives aimed at circular or integrated local Australia (IPAA) and the North
supply chains. These could for example include American Coalition for Insect
the reuse of locally or regionally produced co- Agriculture (NACIA) as well as other
products to feed insects, as well as the use of international organisations such as
insect products as feed by livestock farmers. the FAO.
Such measures would be consistent with global The four regional associations
trends. IPIFF, AFFIA, IPAA and NACIA met
in May 2018 in Wuhan, China to
3. Informing and engaging lay the foundation for international
collaboration.
with stakeholders
A Codex Alimentarius specifically
IPIFF works hand in hand with EU policymakers for the insect sector, certification,
such as the European Commission’s Directorate education and good hygiene
General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), practices were agreed as priorities
national control authorities and partners for the development of the global
along the food and feed chain e.g. farmers, insect industry.
the food and feed industry, the aquaculture
sector and veterinarians. IPIFF firmly believes “The Codex Alimentarius is a food
that by working together in a coordinated way code which has been established
with key stakeholders, any safety risks can be by FAO and WHO. From a global
effectively managed. perspective, the importance to
connect with these organisations 15
IPIFF is a member of a number of ‘EU will ensure we do not try to make
institutional consultative forums’ established a new body of regulations, but
by the EU public authorities and involving food instead utilise existing ones.” AFFIA
and feed chain partners, for example the President Anne Deguerry
European Commission Advisory Group on the
Food Chain and Animal and Plant Health24 and “I am pleased to have seen the
the EFSA Stakeholders’ Forum25. These serve initial round table facilitated here
as platforms for exchanging information, as in China. It is an important step for
well as helping to address potential concerns the industry on a global level that
stakeholders may have about the insect sector. will ensure we are moving forward
positively and cohesively together,
to a stronger insect industry for the
future”. IPIFF Treasurer Heinrich KatzIPIFF Members
For further information or to become a member
of IPIFF, please visit our website or get in touch.
IPIFF
info@ipiff.org
www.ipiff.org
+32 (0)2 743 29 97
Avenue Adolphe Lacomblé
59, bte 8
1030, Brussels
BelgiumYou can also read
