A virtual workshop organized by the Brussels-based industry group International Platform for Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) was heard by European Commission speakers, in particular Sabine Juelicher, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety.
She said that from now until 2030, the EU’s Green Deal will see the Commission set out how to manage the transition to a greener food system that offers social security and economic sustainability – the three pillars of sustainability under one roof.
Insect farming is the embodiment of these three pillars, said Juelicher.
“We recognize the role insect farming can play in the farm-to-fork strategy to make our food systems more sustainable,” she commented.
The Commission foresees an enlarged, safe, economically viable and competitive sector for insect protein production in the EU and is working to support such a vision.
“Insects are powerful bioconverters with a low ecological footprint. [Insect farming] has a lot of potential to make our food systems more sustainable. We want to support this trip. “
She stressed that the Commission is committed to promoting the development of alternative feed such as insects in order to reduce the EU’s dependence on feed such as soybeans, which are mainly imported. “[Moreover]We don’t have full control over the growing conditions [of such raw materials]. ”
In addition, EU research and innovation programs under Horizon Europe currently include numerous research projects on the production of insect proteins, she added.
Poultry and pig feed extensions .
Regarding the approval of insect protein in feed for species beyond water and domestic animals, she said the Commission is working “intensively” with Member States to approve the approval of insect protein in poultry and pig feed. “It’s part of a larger, complex package. Still, we see many opportunities to open up the insect protein market. “.
The Commission also supports the idea of encouraging the development of additional feed for insects.
However, Juelicher said that sustainability cannot surpass safety in this area.
As a first step, EFSA opinions would be needed to identify the inherent risk of using past foods, such as meat or fish, as new substrate sources that IPIFF members have proposed as a way forward. “Under no circumstances can we endanger human or animal health.”
The Commission is also working on the adoption of harmonized standards for insect caused damage.
Bas Drukker, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, also attended the workshop. He mentioned that secondary EU legislation could be adopted in 2021 to develop harmonized EU organic standards for insects as food, feed and insect caused damage.
