Innovate UK has awarded £326,610 to a project aimed at easing regulatory barriers in the UK insect industry. The initiative, named IBC-Net, involves the Insect Bioconversion Association (INBIA), Fera Science Ltd, and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Its goal is to promote safe and sustainable insect bioconversion practices.
The UK insect sector is rapidly expanding by converting organic waste into products like animal feed, fertilizers, and oils. However, strict regulations limit growth opportunities. IBC-Net will explore the current regulatory landscape and develop evidence to support sector safety.
Fera Science will conduct insect growth trials at its York facility. The trials will test black soldier fly (BSF) larvae fed on municipal food waste. They will evaluate risks, safety, and regulatory compliance of insect-derived products. Results will be shared with regulators, including DEFRA, the Food Standards Agency, and the Environment Agency.
The project also partners with Wageningen University’s SAFE Insect program. Focus areas include animal by-products and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) risks. The collaboration aims to deepen understanding of safety concerns related to insect rearing on waste.
Part of the initiative involves drafting new industry standards and policy recommendations. The network intends to work closely with regulators to facilitate sector development. Miha Pipan, INBIA chair, emphasized the importance of regulatory engagement. He noted UK regulations are among the strictest worldwide, limiting sector growth.
Dr. Maureen Wakefield from Fera Science highlighted the need for robust scientific evidence. Fera’s research will provide data to support safety assessments of insect products derived from municipal waste.
The project aims to make UK insect bioconversion more competitive globally. It also seeks to boost domestic growth and job creation in the sector. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote a circular economy through sustainable waste management and innovative food production.
