Insect farming collaboration: Roundtable welcomes certification efforts for transparency

21 May 2018 --- The 2nd International conference “Insect to Feed the World” held from May 15-18, 2018 in Wuhan (China), marked the official occasion to lay the foundation for the international collaboration between 4 regional insect associations: IPIFF, AFFIA, IPAA & NACIA. Representing respectively European, Asian, Australian and American insect producers, these associations decided to organize a roundtable to make a step toward the development of the insect industry by agreeing on priority topics to work on: Codex Alimentarius, certification, education and good hygiene practices.

“I am pleased to have seen the initial roundtable facilitated here in China. It is an important step for the industry on a global level that will ensure we are moving forward positively and cohesively together, to a stronger insect industry for the future,” says IPIFF Treasurer and Execom member Heinrich Katz.

“Developing a globally accepted certification, for the production of food and feed is a compelling idea for developing a foundation for emerging company’s to build on, and for developing company’s to leverage in building trust and transparency in the industry,” AIPAA President Olympia Yarger states.

“Education is a global priority for insect farming and insect consumption. Delivering insect positive messages and information to the public is vital to moving the industry forward in a positive way," NACIA  President Marianne Shockley continues. "We look forward to furthering collaboration and development of media, education and training kits, to further promote insects as food and feed, with other regions into the future.”

“The Codex Alimentarius is a food code, which has been established by FAO and WHO. From a global perspective, the importance to connect with these organizations will ensure we do not try and make a new body of regulations, but instead utilize existing ones on consumers’ health and fair trade,” concludes AFFIA President Anne Deguerry.