Insect Farming in Scotland

In 2016, the EU Commission released a white paper which found insect farming could provide a sustainable alternative source of protein for animal feed, while helping reduce the EU’s reliance on protein imports. In 2017, the EU passed legislation allowing use of select insect meal in aquaculture feed. An extension of this allowance to poultry is expected in the next 12-18 months.

Insect farming, particularly of Black Soldier Fly (BSF), offers an intriguing and elegant circular economy opportunity to turn organic residues, including pre-consumer food waste, into feedstock for food systems. Around the world, companies are constructing and operating commercial-scale insect farming plants.

Scotland is well-placed to become a global leader in this emerging industry owing to the Scottish Government’s circular economy objectives and food waste reduction target, and large aquaculture, agriculture and food and drink sectors. 

This report estimates the economic potential for Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming in Scotland and presents findings from a Scotland-specific Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) study, which found BSF farming in Scotland using pre-consumer food waste feedstock could provide a low-carbon, high-value alternative to conventional food waste treatment and protein production processes.

A recent stakeholder workshop brought together key organisations from across the would-be insect supply chain to share information and network.

Scotland is well-placed to become a global leader in this emerging industry owing to the Scottish Government’s circular economy objectives and food waste reduction target, and large aquaculture, agriculture and food and drink sectors.

This one-day stakeholder workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the would-be supply chain to discuss information presented by Scottish and international experts and provide a preliminary networking opportunity.

Topics covered:

The Need for Alternatives, Sustainable Protein

Dr Richard Newton from the Sustainable group at University of Stirling Institute of Aquaculture demonstrated how growing global protein demand for both animal feeds and human consumption is creating unsustainable environmental pressures on land, habitat and climate, and raising serious concerns about the sustainability of future protein supply.

The Global Driver: the ‘Protein Gap’

Dr William Clark from Zero Waste Scotland explored the regulatory measures governments around the world are using to address the so called 'Protein Gap', how these interventions are applied, and what the recommendations mean for Scotland.

Insect Farming – A Circular Economy Solution

Dr. Elaine Fitches of FERA established how insect farming fits within a more circular economy and closes the loop on organic supply chains, and why governments and businesses around the world see it as a novel source of sustainable protein as well as other valuable by-products.