A grant of £8,000 was made to UKEIA by the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN) recently, for the second stage of UKEIA’s programme to stimulate research to address the challenges facing UK in the production of insect protein for farm, food and feed.
UKEIA’s first farmed insect protein workshop - also funded by the FRSN and held in partnership with Northumbria University and the University of Sheffield - took place in February 2023, identifying key areas where collaboration between industry and academia could support the growth of the UK’s farmed insect protein sector.
Following the workshop a directory of experts was created to showcase and connect those working within the insect protein sector, with full details of the experts’ faculties and interests accessible to UKEIA members looking to make beneficial connections between academia and industry.
Now the grant from FSRN will support UKEIA to expand on findings from the initial workshop, (full version available to UKEIA members) to identify a panel of experts from academia and industry, with expressions of interest for research partnerships being invited as of October 2024.
Nick Rousseau, Managing Director for UKEIA, said: “We are keen to invite anyone with an interest in the insect protein sector to come forward with their ideas for research projects. We’ll be looking for them to set out their idea, clearly explaining the challenge they face and want to resolve.
“In turn, our expert panel will sift all entries to select the most promising suggestions, before working with organisations such the newly formed National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) to see those ideas become reality.
Further dates will be announced for the dialogue between industry and academia to develop the ideas and topics into concrete project concepts and seek funding for those deemed the highest priority. Nick continued: “During our workshop earlier this year we identified and prioritised a wide range of specific and general issues that face industry practitioners, and now we want to help both established businesses and up and coming entrepreneurs leapfrog those difficulties.”
UKEIA plays a pivotal role in the UK’s emerging alternative protein industry, as the UK’s only trade body representing the insect protein sector, whether that’s from the perspective of insects for human consumption, as feed for other farm animals or pets, or as a ‘missing link’ in circular agricultural practices via organic waste treatment solutions.
Some of the highest prioritised areas that need investigation were:
• Is freezing an acceptable means of slaughter from a welfare perspective?
• How can restrictions imposed by legislation limiting insect farmers to animal grade substrates and preventing use of non-plant-based food waste be reduced?
• What is the value/impact of purging prior to dispatch?
• What would be the impact of using novel feeds such as agricultural crop residues?
• Feed trials comparing impact of different approaches on insect productivity and insect composition
• Shelf stability and microbial safety of insect-enriched foods
Anyone interested in submitting an expression of interest, in joining UKEIA or in joining the directory of experts can contact UKEIA via our website.
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