The world is facing a protein crisis as demand for meat continues to rise

Insects might not be your idea of the most appetising meal.

But creepy crawlies are a great source of protein and, if they could be farmed on a large scale, they could help solve a global protein crisis.

Now one of the biggest barriers preventing insect farms from taking off in Europe has been overcome - and expects say insect farms could soon be a reality.

Creepy crawlies are a great source of protein and, if they could be farmed on a large scale, could help solve a global protein crisis. Now one of the biggest barriers preventing insect farms from taking off in Europe has been overcome, and insect farms could soon be a reality

THE PROTEINSECT PROJECT The PROteINSECT project aims to examine the safety and viability of farming fly larvae as livestock. Currently more than four fifths of the protein requirements for livestock rearing in the European Union is imported from non-EU countries. The European Parliament has adopted a resolution to address the EU’s protein deficit, stating that urgent action is needed to replace imported protein crops with alternative European sources. One potential source to alleviate this current protein deficit is fly larvae. As a natural component of the diets of fish, chicken and pigs, fly larvae provide a rich source of highly digestible protein. Advertisement

Global meat demand is expected to rise to 72 per cent above 2000 levels by 2030, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

This means a rapid increase in protein sources to feed animals like pigs is urgently needed, and insect farming could be the way forward.

Humans could also one day be eating the farmed insects.

In a report issued in 2013, the UN suggested insects are a viable source of protein for humans, animals and pets.

The report highlighted grasshoppers, ants and other bugs as protein-packed substitutes that are less harmful to the environment than traditional meat.

A report from the EU last year also suggested insects as an alternative protein source for humans.

'The consumption of insects, known as entomophagy, is a concept alien to the Western culture, but is estimated to be an integral part of the diet of at least 2 billion people across Asia, Latin America and Africa,' the report said.

'Some of the most widely consumed species include caterpillars, termites, grasshoppers, crickets, stink bugs and mealworms.'

But the first step in the development of mass-producing insects is likely to be insects reared to feed farm animals.

Global meat demand is expected to rise to 72 per cent above 2000 levels by 2030, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This means a rapid increase in protein sources to feed animals like pigs (pictured) is urgently needed

THE GLOBAL PROTEIN CRISIS Food security is a global challenge. The world food economy is being increasingly driven by the shift of diets and food consumption patterns towards livestock products. As overall demand for food, particularly meat, increases there is an urgent need to increase supply of protein from sustainable sources. Global meat demand is expected to rise to 72 per cent above 2000 levels by 2030, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This means a rapid increase in protein sources to feed animals like pigs is urgently needed. One solution is insects that could be raised in farms to feed farm animals. Advertisement

The use of insects such as mealworms, crickets and maggots is currently limited to pet food in Europe. However, it is expected to be extended to feedstock for aquaculture, cattle and poultry in the near future, especially given that their properties have been shown to be comparable to fishmeal.

One potential source to alleviate this current protein deficit is fly larvae, or maggots.

As a natural component of the diets of fish, chicken and pigs, fly larvae provide a rich source of highly digestible protein.

This could be happening soon, as a European Commission-funded project has come one step closer to reality.

The PROteINSECT project aims to examine the safety and viability of farming fly larvae as livestock.

A spokesperson from PROteINSECT partner Minerva Communications UK has told New Atlas the project has passed a milestone.

'Changes to the European legislation concerning the feeding of insects to fish are already being considered and it is expected that a further widening of the debate on legislation on substrate use and insect varieties to be fed to poultry and pigs will follow in the next 18 months or so,' she said.

Humans could also one day be eating farmed insects. In a report issued in 2013, the UN suggested insects are a viable source of protein for humans, animals and pets

THE COMPANIES SELLING INSECT-BASED FOODS UK-based Eat Grub sources, packages and sells insects online. The company sources and sells edible insects, hosts insect food events, and develops new insect recipes, including a chocolate cricket nut fudge. France-based Entotech produces and commercialises edible insects with a sustainable and fancy twist. Founded in 2014, Big Cricket Farms in Ohio was the first American insect farm to obtain food-grade certifications from their state Department of Agriculture and the FDA. Advertisement

The main objection to raising insects in large numbers was that they could lead to health risks.

But this has been ruled out, according to a report issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The report found the potential risks of producing, processing and consuming insects as a food source are much the same as the rearing of other animals.

The European Commission is now going to review the data and decide whether to go ahead with the PROteINSECT project.

Since 2013, PROteINSECT has worked with experts from the EU, China and Africa to research introducing two species of fly larvae into the diets of chickens, pigs and fish.

But the report said more data is needed for the EC to decide whether to go ahead with insect farms.

'Data on transfer of chemical contaminants from different substrates to the insects are very limited,' the report says.