New Research Challenges Environmental Benefits of Insect Farming, Warns of Biosecurity Risk and Disease Spread
A new peer-reviewed study published in the respected scientific journal Biological Reviews this week has cast doubt on the widely touted environmental benefits of insect farming. The research, titled "Have the Environmental Benefits of Insect Farming Been Overstated? A Critical Review," suggests that the sustainability claims of the insect farming industry may have been exaggerated and warns of potential risks to biodiversity and biosecurity.
You can read the full study here.
Here are some of the study’s key findings:
Higher-than-predicted environmental impacts: Contrary to industry claims, the study found that insect protein production at scale is often less environmentally friendly than its most common counterparts—conventional ingredients for livestock feed, fishfeed and pet food—across multiple metrics. For example, greenhouse gas emissions from farming black soldier fly larvae in the UK can be up to 13.5 times higher than those from soybean meal production. One study found that on average, insect proteins for pet food emit 2–10 times more GHGs than conventional pet food products.
Biosecurity risks: The research highlights serious concerns about the potential escape of farmed insects and the lack of regulation on biosecurity measures. Escaped insects could pose risks to local ecosystems by competing with native species, introducing harmful genes, and potentially spreading diseases to wild insect populations, including threatened pollinators like bumblebees.
Circular economy challenges: While insect farming was initially promoted as a way to utilize organic waste, the study found that large-scale farms rely heavily on feed-grade materials like wheat bran or dairy waste. This inefficiently adds another level to the food chain and contradicts claims of contributing to a circular economy.
Economic viability: The resource-intensive nature of insect farming makes its products significantly more expensive than alternatives, with insect meal costing several times more than fishmeal and up to ten times more than soymeal.
Dr. Dustin Crummett, co-author of the report and Executive Director of the Insect Institute, commented on the findings: "Insect protein has been widely hyped over the past decade, but our comprehensive review of the scientific literature tells a different story. There is essentially no public demand for farmed edible insects, and farming insects for pet food or farmed animal feed is usually worse–often many times worse–for the environment than even conventional options."
This study comes at a crucial time as governments, food companies, and organizations worldwide are seeking sustainable solutions to feed a growing global population while reducing the environmental impact of food production. The research team analyzed 352 relevant papers focusing on key insect species such as black soldier flies, mealworms, and crickets, making this the most comprehensive review to date of the environmental impacts of large-scale insect farming in Western countries.
As the world grapples with the challenges of creating a more sustainable food system, this research suggests that alternative solutions, such as plant-based proteins or innovative feed formulations, may offer more promising avenues for reducing the environmental footprint of food production.
The findings of this study underscore the need for more rigorous scientific evaluation of emerging food technologies and highlight the importance of considering potential unintended consequences in the pursuit of sustainability.
