ISSUE FOCUS Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 41 “At the heart of the EU’s pursuit of agri-food resilience is protein autonomy - the goal to produce a greater share of Europe's protein needs domestically, and in ways that are circular and sustainable. Insects, such as black soldier flies, mealworms, and crickets, offer an insect-enriched protein source that complements existing options without competing with them.” European Insect Industry: DRIVING PROTEIN AUTONOMY AND JOB CREATION Christophe Derrien Secretary-General IPIFF - International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed At a time when Europe is striving to reduce its reliance on external resources and transition to a more resilient, circular economy, the insect industry can play a pivotal role in supporting such efforts. As a sector that has attracted over €1.5 billion in investments and established over 150 production facilities, the European insect industry will not only strengthen the EU's food security, but is already emerging as a cornerstone of its industrial and climate ambitions. Central to this evolution is the sector’s ability to produce sustainable, insect-enriched proteins locally - for both food and feed - reducing dependence on overseas imports, (e.g. soybean meal) and fisheries resources (e.g. pelagic species used for fishmeal production), and creating thousands of jobs across the continent. While Europe has made important strides towards reducing its environmental footprint, food and feed production remain among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The EU Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy both acknowledge the urgent need for transformative solutions that align sustainability with competitiveness. Insect farming delivers exactly that. PROTEIN AUTONOMY: FROM POLICY CONCEPT TO INDUSTRIAL REALITY At the heart of the EU’s pursuit of agri-food resilience is protein autonomy - the goal to produce a greater share of Europe's protein needs domestically, and in ways that are circular and sustainable. Insects, such as black soldier flies, mealworms, and crickets, offer an insect-enriched protein source that complements existing options without competing with them. These insect-derived ingredients are rich in essential nutrients and are already being incorporated into both human food and animal feed. For feed, they are especially well-suited for aquaculture, poultry, and pig farming. For food, they offer protein-rich alternatives in specialised markets including sports nutrition and dietary supplements. Local production of these ingredients directly contributes to reducing the EU’s dependency on
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