Favourable views on insects as animal feed
It recently published its study: Insects in animal feed: Acceptance and its determinants among farmers, agriculture sector stakeholders and citizens, in the journal Animal Feed Science and Technology, which showed that only 17% of the 415 farmers, agriculture stakeholders and consumers surveyed rejected the idea.
The study found that the resulting livestock products, from using insects in feed, were viewed as being more sustainable, nutritious and healthy, however it was suggested there was a risk of off-flavours and allergens.
According to the University, the use of insects in feed is one potential solution to improving the sustainability of animal diets, as well as maintaining the legitimacy of livestock production.
As part of the research project by the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 196 farmers, 137 agriculture sector stakeholders and 82 citizen/consumers in Flanders, Belgium, were interviewed about "their attitudes, product attribute beliefs, perceived benefits, risks and concerns, and willingness-to-accept and use insect-based animal feed and the resulting livestock products".
The Flanders region has a highly specialised intensive livestock farming industry, according to the University.
Those most in favour of the use of insects were agriculture sector stakeholders, followed by consumers and then farmers, with the highest levels of acceptance for fish and poultry feed, followed by pig feed, and to a lower extent pet food and cattle feed.
Poultry meat from animals fed on insect-based diets was rejected by 17%, while interestingly beef from cattle fed on insect-based diets was rejected by 25%.
Professor Wim Verbeke, lead author of the study, said: "The more people believed that insects are wholesome and acceptable as food for themselves as human beings, the stronger their belief that insects fit as an ingredient for animal feed as well."
The authors of the study feel there is enough momentum to move forward with the policy debate and make use of this novel protein source.
"The insights from this study confirm that the policy debate should focus primarily on the use insects in feed for fish, poultry, and pigs, whereas lower interest and acceptance of milk, dairy products and beef from insect-fed cattle among farmers, stakeholders and consumers indicate that the use of insects in feed for cattle is not currently an issue," said the report’s authors.
