By Tony Goodger, policy advisor, Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS)
At the beginning of February, the Government announced a consultation: “Livestock feed controls review for England and Wales”.
Strict livestock feed controls were introduced in the UK post BSE and whilst government are seeking feedback with a view to possibly amending the legislation they are not interested in a return for ruminant-to-ruminant feed.
In 2021 the EU amended its transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) legislation to allow the use of a wider range of animal proteins in non-ruminant animal feed.
The UK did not follow suit which, some have argued, has put us at a cost of production disadvantage in a highly competitive market.
The consultation lists four suggested changes:
Poultry processed animal protein (PAP) in porcine feed
Porcine PAP in poultry feed
Ruminant collagen and gelatine in non-ruminant feed
Insect processed animal protein in pig and poultry feed
I hope that readers will respond to the consultation, and it is not my place to try to influence any industry views.
However, it is number four on the list, “Insect processed animal protein in pig and poultry feed” that is of interest to me.
It is AIMS’ view that the Government are very keen on insect protein, in part as a means to reduce waste entering landfill and also as part of the creation of a circular food system as opposed to the current linear model.
Should the changes be approved, it would no doubt attract investment in the insect protein sector, open new markets for renderers and could vary diets for livestock, whilst ensuring that the UK’s high level of biosecurity, animal and public health protection and that any risks associated with TSE are maintained.
It was announced last year that Nottingham Trent University had been awarded £3million for a project that “aims to address significant health and welfare issues in poultry production”.
The project, which is called ‘FeedFlow’ is funded by Innovate UK as part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and is led by insect farming innovator Flybox.
According to one of the founders of Flybox, Larry Kotch, they started the business at Stepney City Farm in London where they were given free rent and license to do their R&D in exchange for insect products to feed their animals and soil.
Kotch and his co-founders are really excited about the opportunity saying: “We work mainly with livestock farmers looking to generate their own sustainable protein on-site, organic waste producers, and food processing companies. And, of course, long-term work with the entire food chain from supermarkets down, locating our Flybox farms where they have the most impact and best economics”
As for Nottingham Trent University they note that “black soldier fly farming and artificial intelligence are emerging as revolutionary solutions for improving poultry welfare and performance, while also supporting sustainability”.
The University’s FeedFlow projects objective hopes to bring AI systems into to the poultry shed to deliver “precision agriculture by delivering real-time data on flock welfare and early warnings of potential issues”.
It is hoped that this approach will amplify poultry health, welfare and productivity, through the black soldier fly’s larvae providing a “nutrient-rich, high-quality protein source enhanced with antimicrobial peptides”.
I don’t believe that this is a case of the broiler and layer industry watching this space but instead there is a need to act now in order that production of high quality poultry meat and eggs keep pace with ever growing consumer demand.