Insect farming: A novel approach for
future sustainable
agriculture
Insect-based proteins can replace conventional animal feed components, providing high-quality protein and fats with lower carbon footprints. This makes insect rearing an attractive circular economyfocused strategy for reducing emissions in food production and contributing to the UK’s net zero targets. DR SARAH BUCKINGHAM, SENIOR CONSULTANT, ENVIRONMENT TEAM Globally there are a variety of insects that are reared for human
Insect proteins and fats have been used in aquaculture since
nutrition, animal feed and waste management, such as black
2015, offering an alternative to fishmeal products and are
soldier fly, mealworms, lesser mealworms, crickets, locusts,
increasingly used in pet food production to replace soy and
housefly and others.
meat-based ingredients. In 2021, the European Union permitted the use of insect processed animal proteins to be used within
In a European and UK context, the most commonly reared
poultry and pig nutrition.
insect for protein production is the black soldier fly (BSF). There is growing evidence showing insect-based proteins can
Insects can also contribute to waste management
effectively supplement or replace conventional animal feed
(bioconversion) and supply various bioactive compounds
components by providing high-quality protein and fats with
(chitin) used in agriculture, textiles, and pharmaceutical
lower carbon footprints compared to soy-based feed.
industries. This has made the incorporation of insect rearing into argi-businesses an attractive circular economy-focused
Therefore, incorporating insects into agricultural and food
strategy for reducing emissions in food production, contributing
production systems offers a sustainable alternative protein
to circular economy goals and UK’s net zero targets.
source that can potentially replace the UK’s reliance on soy imports.
Perspectives | Autumn 2023
