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IPIFF welcomes EFSA insect decision

16 Dec 2016

IPIFF, the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of the insect production sector for food and feed, has welcomed the ‘green light’ given by EU member states on the authorisation of insect proteins as fish feed.

IPIFF, the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of the insect production sector for food and feed, has welcomed the ‘green light’ given by EU member states on the authorisation of insect proteins as fish feed.

The EU member states representatives endorsed a European Commission proposal which was discussed in a meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF). The text is expected to be formally adopted during spring 2017, which means that insect proteins should be effectively authorised for use in fish feed as from 1st July 2017.

“We are particularly pleased with the move made by EU institutions,” said IPIFF President Antoine Hubert. “The opening of this legislation is in our view a major milestone towards the development of the European insect production sector.”

IPIFF Vice President Tarique Arsiwalla recalled the recent opinion from the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) which concluded that insects fed with plant-based materials entail no risks if insect producers comply with best hygiene practices.

“This is precisely the case of the IPIFF members, who comply with very stringent risk management procedures, in accordance with the EU food and feed safety legislation,” said Arsiwalla.

Looking ahead, IPIFF expressed the will to pursue efforts towards a possible authorisation of insect proteins to other non-ruminant species (e.g. pig and poultry) or to allow the use of other ‘high grade’ materials to feed their insects.

“We will plead for further relaxation of EU rules, in case safety conditions associated with these new routes have been demonstrated,” said Hubert. “In the long run, these changes should contribute to alleviate European dependency on protein imports, whilst securing a promising source of protein for EU farmers and customers.”