ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2022 47 insects do not serve as direct carriers of pathogens. So, they are not involved in the epidemiology of zoonoses to a significant degree. Although wild animals were responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, there are also threatening livestock zoonoses. It is believed that the decrease in consumption of animal meat can be part of the solution to stopping the spread of existing and, emerging novel zoonoses. Plant-based diets and cultured meat have many benefits; however, they cannot be the only approach to address the issue of changing the current production of animal products. In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, enhancing entomophagy could be crucial for ensuring global food security and providing diversity and stability in the food chain. Decreased pesticide consumption Since edible insects are pests, using them can reduce the consumption of pesticides. Due to the toxicity of pesticides, they are harmful for humans, animals, other organisms, and the environment. Lower production of greenhouse gases Moreover, the production of greenhouse gases by most insects is likely lower than that of conventional livestock. According to previous research, pigs produce 10–100 times more greenhouse gases per kg of weight than mealworms. Adds to the recycling Bio-waste can be consumed by insects, who can turn it into high-quality protein that can be utilized as animal feed. This waste includes food, human waste, compost, and animal slurry. Converting organic waste into useful proteins contributes to the concept of circular economy. Lower water consumption Comparatively speaking, insects utilize much less water than traditional animals. For instance, mealworms are more drought-resistant than cattle. Less land use Less acreage is needed for insect farming than for I N N O V A T E . E N G I N E E R . I N S P I R E . A N I M A L F E E D S O F T W A R E . C O M
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