Insect producers welcome EU’s push to develop organic sector

26 Mar 2021 --- The European Commission has published its “Action Plan for the Development of the Organic Sector” with favorable gains for insect producers looking to contribute to diversifying locally sourced protein feed for organic farmers. 

Insects are a natural source of nutrition for a wide range of species including fish, poultry and swine. They can help to tackle certain deficiencies in animal nutrition, such as vitamin B12 deficiencies, for instance. 

In addition, insect frass used as a fertilizing product could help crop farmers across the continent reduce the productivity gap on organic agricultural land and improve competitiveness.

The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) – the European umbrella organization representing stakeholders in the sector – has welcomed this latest development, calling it an “important leap forward for European agriculture.”

“Presently, European insect producers are already contributing to the transition from linear to circular business models in agriculture, by selecting substrates from local partners in a small geographical area,” Christophe Derrien, secretary-general of IPIFF tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“More concretely, this diversification [of new protein sources] may include the development of insect production systems. In terms of animal feed, the added value of such modern farming systems may, for example, include the reuse of locally or regionally produced agri-food by-/co-products to feed insects.”

Insects’ key role in building more sustainable chicken and aquaculture value chains, was recently underscored by Bühler.A boost for organic livestock
By implementing sustainable practices in agriculture, without using antibiotics or growth hormones, insect farming is fully in line with the philosophy of organic farming.

“A large part of the European insect farmers are inspired by organic principles,” comments Adriana Casillas, IPIFF vice president.

“Thus, the finalization of the organic certification standards for insect farming activities – a process that the European Commission is committed to work on – will support the efforts of insect producers towards sustainable agricultural practices across the European Union,” she notes.

“Once in place, such tangible organic standards would allow insect food and feed producers to maximise their contribution to the objectives of this Action Plan.”

Insects’ key role in building more sustainable chicken and aquaculture value chains, was recently underscored by Bühler. The animal feed producer notes this is a necessity if the industry is to provide adequate protein to feed the ballooning population.

The EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy currently supports a shift toward achieving at least 25 percent of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030.

Organic plant health
Presently, European insect producers are already contributing to the transition from linear to circular business models in agriculture, by selecting substrates from local partners in a small geographical area.

More specifically, the European insect sector could support the objectives of the Organic Action Plan on improving animal nutrition or reinforcing organic aquaculture. 

In parallel, IPIFF recognizes that achieving the 25 percent target for organic agricultural land depends on ensuring that soil health and fertility are preserved. 

“The application of insect frass – a valuable organic fertilizsing product with properties similar to compost or animal manure – on agricultural land closes the loop of insect farming and ensures that macro- and micronutrients return to soils, supporting plant growth and development,” explains Chloé Phan Van Phi, IPIFF executive committee member in charge of circular economy practices. 

Outside of farming and feed applications, the recent EU approval for yellow mealworm for human consumption was pegged by IPIFF as a “key milestone” for the sector.

“The initiatives presented in the Action Plan are very promising and will help Europe to build more sustainable food chains,” concludes IPIFF Secretary-General Mr Christophe Derrien.

“We would welcome it, if the EU legislators will continue to shape the regulatory landscape in a way that the European insect sector can fully contribute to this objective: the European insect industry is not only keen on supporting the organic sector, but strives to become an essential part of it.”

By Benjamin Ferrer