ISSUE FOCUS 42 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 imported protein sources, or fisheries resources that may be associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and long global supply chains. By contrast, insect farming in Europe supports regional protein cycles, making the continent less vulnerable to external disruptions and volatility in supply and prices associated with imported protein sources. CIRCULARITY IN ACTION: FROM FOOD WASTE TO FEED AND FERTILISER Insects thrive on underused biomass, including food losses and by-products from agri-food industries. This makes them ideal agents of circularity: They convert food losses into high-value protein, fats and organic fertilisers, such as insect frass. The benefits are twofold. First, insects help close nutrient loops by reducing food losses and returning valuable nutrients to the food chain. Second, their by-products, such as processed frass, offer a local, sustainable alternative to synthetic or imported fertilisers - particularly important for farmers navigating rising costs and supply uncertainty. By embracing these closed-loop systems, the European insect sector is enabling a true circular agricultural economy, fully aligned with the EU’s sustainability goals. EMPOWERING EUROPEAN WORKERS AND REGIONS Beyond its environmental benefits, the sector has a strong socio-economic footprint. To date, over 3,500 jobs have been created, including more than 1,000 direct roles in production, research, and development. The diversity of farm types - from highly integrated full-liner operations to decentralised models co-located with agri-industrial facilities - ensures that job creation is spread across rural and peri-urban regions, supporting regional economies and revitalising industrial zones. IPIFF forecasts that the sector could deliver up to 30,000 jobs by 2030, provided that the right policy and regularity conditions are in place. These jobs span engineering, biochemistry, food technology, logistics, and farming, contributing not only to sustainability but also to industrial rejuvenation and European innovation leadership. THE BARRIER OF INACTION: REGULATORY BOTTLENECKS Despite this momentum, the full potential of the insect sector remains hampered by regulatory delays and limitations. Current EU legislation restricts the range of substrates that can be used to feed insects - excluding, for instance, food losses containing meat or fish. This limits the sector’s ability to maximise bioconversion and reduce waste at scale. Furthermore, the market access for insect frass, a valuable organic fertiliser, is still not fully unlocked under EU fertiliser legislation. Its recognition under regulatory frameworks - as well as clearer pathways for its use in biogas production - are essential for enhancing both sustainability and economic viability. A future-proof regulatory environment is urgently needed - one that enables the safe and responsible
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