THE EUROPEAN INSECTS SECTOR AND ITS ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF GREEN PROTEINS IN FEED SUPPLY

The aim of this work is firstly to define the current European Union (EU) insects supply, in terms of companies, quantity of raw material and proteins produced annually; secondly, to develop a SWOT analysis of the European insects companies. A further purpose is to explore the potential role that this sector could play in the European feed industry in the future. The current production of proteins from insects reaches about 3,000 tonnes per year and is expected to increase to 1.2 million tonnes if the European Union policy opens the proteins market to feed chickens and pigs. The development of the European insect sector is closely linked to a policy of safety in the feeds and to a policy of increasing domestic proteins supply. Appropriate policy to increase competitiveness should support the companies involved in rearing and production of insects providing financial aid for investments and extension services.