Insects are very nutritious. Actually, we should all eat more of it. But also in animal breeding, they are ideal food. The Netherlands has recognised this and is now the most advanced insect farm in Europe opened.
When it comes to the food and agriculture organization (FAO), may be the rapidly growing human population in the future without the consumption of insects fed. What is in Parts of Asia and Africa already in everyday life, in Western countries, in the future, normal.
So far, the idea of eating insects disgusts the majority of people. Rather, they dispense with animal protein, as you would a meal worm burgers or sausage from locusts to eat.
But it’s also different. Because even in the animal husbandry and livestock breeding insects can provide an important contribution for a sustainable production of fish, meat and eggs.
The Netherlands are in this issue of the pioneer, and so it is hardly surprising that now, in the small town of Bergen op Zoom in the South of the country, the state of the art insect farm in Europe was opened. According to the company, Protix, it is the world’s first factory, in the large-scale insects, particularly larvae of the soldier fly processed – bred and at the same time, to animal feed.
In the Netherlands there are about 25 farms that breed insects. So far, the feeding of dead insects breeding in the EU, only in the fish, and Pets are allowed. It is expected, however, that the ban for pig and poultry breeding is soon repealed. As long as the Dutch company Protix breeds also live insects such as meal worms as feed for poultry, because they are exempt from the EU ban.
What’s the argument for insects as alternative animal feed?
1. Insects are an excellent Protein supplier
Insects convert their food in the shortest time and proteins. The protein content of insects in relation to the dry mass is, on average, 35 to 60 percent. In the case of crickets, the proportion is 77 percent. Insects are almost free of carbohydrates, extremely fat and thus low in cholesterol and rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
2. Less Import of soy and fish meal is necessary
Europe produced currently, only 25-30 percent of the plant proteins itself, the Rest must be imported. The most popular and cheapest protein source in animal soy is farmed currently.
After the second world war, the cravings took on flesh permanently. Thus, the rapid rise of the soybean, which was originally regarded rather as a by-product of soy Oil extraction began.
Soy is a protein miracle bean rich
In the last 20 years has doubled the global production of Soya, more than. Most of the soya comes from North and South America, especially from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Germany, in turn, is the largest soy buyer within the EU. About 80 percent of the soybean Imports are fed Europe-wide in animal breeding.
A perspective view of insect proteins could pigs the protein content in animal feed especially for poultry-, and fish farming to replace.
3. Less Burden On The Environment
The global soybean production and trade has numerous negative effects on the environment. The fact environmentalists have for years. In the cultivation of forests and savannas for new soy fields to fields cleared.
Huge soybean fields, eat in the Brazilian forest in the state of Para
Due to the intensive agriculture, the soils erode, the diversity of species decreases. Through the use of fertilizers and pesticides, water polluted.
In addition, the global Transport of soy around the globe, which produces significantly more emissions, than in the distribution of insect proteins is incurred.
4. Insects are frugal
Insects in contrast to mammals, a significantly shorter growth cycle. You put your food faster in meat and grow faster. You will need less food and water, can be grown in a confined space, are easy to care for and make less environmentally harmful waste.
Live insects may be fed to poultry. Chickens for example are not vegetarians
The new company in the Netherlands, is now delivering a new experience values, which means the breeding of insects on an industrial scale. About what diseases or Hygiene problems in the mass production and also the use of drugs is necessary.
5. Production as a circular economy
The new insect farm in the Netherlands, produced according to the company, according to the principle of the circular economy. This plant-based food to be recycled residues as feed for the insect again. These in turn form a protein-rich raw material for animal feed.
However, insects are not waste recyclers. Accordingly, the insects are not fed with any waste. Insects grow and thrive best when you high-quality and at the same time, proper food is available.