A pioneering laboratory facility has opened in York to spearhead the growth of insect bioconversion – a method of feeding insects biomass waste to turn it into animal feed products.
Fera Science has invested £1m in the 2,000 sqft conversion of a former storage unit at its Bioscience Campus site in the city. It will house research activities centred on Fera’s use of black soldier fly larvae to convert biomass residues into protein-rich food.
The research and development operation is the first of its kind in the UK and is designed to help the wider food production industry to harness the technology and scale-up its usage. Fera says the step is part of a global effort to meet growing food needs.
Dr Andrew Swift, chief executive officer at Fera Science, said: “Today’s launch of our specialist insect laboratory is an important step in the delivery of expert support from Fera to help the food production industry and its stakeholders, in both the commercial and public sector, to respond to the opportunity this technology presents.
“The rising pressure to meet consumption for the growing population globally estimates that more than 250m metric tonnes of additional protein will be needed per year in the decades ahead. This puts immense pressure on our current animal feed protein sources such as soy and fishmeal which are derived from unsustainable sources.
“Insect bioconversion presents one route to provide sustainably sourced protein into the food chain to help overcome this challenge. Under a circular economy, this technology can reduce biomass waste through consumption and conversion into high quality protein for animal feed as well as other bi-products of high value to food production.”
Fera says it can advise clients of cost reductions and circular economy benefits to be achieved through use of insect bioconversion. Its new laboratory will also facilitate collaborations between universities, start-ups, insect farms and regulatory authorities such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Food Standards Agency.
Tamara Finkelstein, permanent secretary at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said: “I am delighted to see Fera opening this state-of-the-art insect research laboratory. This is a critical time for innovation in biotechnology and the insect unit has the potential to reduce our impact on the environment, making progress towards a more circular economy.
“The breadth of national and international partners involved will help ensure its success and demonstrates Fera’s international reputation for taking scientific innovation to new markets.”
