Feed & Additive Magazine Issue 3 April 2021

INTERVIEW 58 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2021 farms will become relevant actors in the agri-food chains, upcycling lower value materials into high- er value insect-derived products, for food, feed, or other applications (e.g. insect dejecta, called ‘frass’, is a potent organic soil fertiliser). Such farming sys- tems will connect different segments of the agri-food chains, strengthening circularity in food production while also reducing its overall footprint. Can you also talk a little about the insect species/ insect-based proteins used in animal feed? Which insects/insect proteins are used for which animal species? Presently seven insect species are among the most commonly farmed in the European Union - black sol- dier fly (Hermetia illucens), common housefly (Mus- ca domestica), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), house cricket (Acheta domesticus), banded cricket (Gryl- lodes sigillatus) and field cricket (Gryllus assimilis). The processed animal proteins (PAPs) of these species are already authorised for fish feed since 2017 follow- ing the partial uplifting of the so-called ‘feed ban’. Black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and the common housefly are the most commonly used in feed applica- tions (closer to the nutritional needs of aquaculture, poultry, pigs or pet food animals). The insect-based ingredients derived from these species vary from oil, insect PAPs – while whole insects are also used. How are insect-based proteins different from other proteins? How do they contribute to animal nutrition in terms of nutritional value, productivity and health? Insect proteins contain all relevant amino acids for animal nutrition - with adequate levels of amino acids which are seen as limiting factors (e.g. lysine, threonine, methionine, and tryptophan). In terms of "It is estimated that there are several hundred registered insect producers globally (including start-ups that are still at a very early stage and are not fully established). The majority of the insect producers that are part of IPIFF are enterprises that are already established, following good practices for insect farming, such as those developed and promoted by IPIFF."