A new grant has been awarded to establish a collaborative network aimed at enhancing the insect bioconversion sector, which diverts organic waste for use as sustainable aquafeed ingredients. The network comprises the Insect Bioconversion Association (INBIA), Fera Science Ltd, and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. This initiative, named IBC-Net, plans to provide substantial evidence to ensure safety while facilitating sector growth.

Over the next year, Fera will execute insect growth trials in York, focusing specifically on assessing the safety of products derived from black soldier fly (BSF) larvae that are reared on municipal food waste. These trials are designed to evaluate both the potential risks and opportunities associated with using BSF on organic substrates sourced from INBIA's network. The results will include data on safety, efficacy, and compliance with existing regulations.

The outcomes of the research, including any identified risks, will be submitted to major regulatory agencies such as the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and the Environment Agency. This submission aims to ensure that any new findings are recognised and incorporated into existing regulatory frameworks.

In addition to its domestic focus, the IBC-Net initiative will involve collaboration with Wageningen University’s SAFE Insect programme, which examines potential risks related to animal by-products and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).

The network plans to draft new industry standards and policy recommendations and will maintain close interactions with regulatory bodies including DEFRA, the FSA, and the Environment Agency.

Miha Pipan, chair of INBIA, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, “We’re delighted for IBC-Net to be embarking on this second stage, offering a platform for the insect bioconversion sector to engage with regulators and enforcement agencies alike.” He highlighted the strict regulatory regime in the UK, which can limit the operational capabilities of businesses in the sector, ultimately impacting both economic and environmental benefits. He further mentioned that changes in the UK’s waste management, including Simpler Recycling mandates, make this work particularly timely. Pipan added that the project is a significant step toward enhancing the competitiveness of the UK’s insect bioconversion sector on an international scale, which could foster growth and job creation in the home market.

Dr Maureen Wakefield, a senior applied entomologist at Fera Science Ltd, emphasised the importance of using robust scientific evidence for risk assessment. She stated, “Fera has conducted research to assess the safety of insect-derived products and will utilise specialist facilities and expertise for the IBC-Net project to examine potential hazards associated with municipal food waste as a rearing substrate for BSF larvae.”

The outcome of the IBC-Net project is anticipated to lay a solid foundation for establishing enhanced safety measures and regulatory practices in the burgeoning field of insect bioconversion in the UK.