Participants developed an Action Plan structured along five working groups aimed at moving insects higher on the agenda of [inter-] national food/feed related agencies. Recommendations were formulated for developing strategies and actions addressed at the private- and public sector as well as FAO. The groups also made proposals on how to develop a communication strategy and suggested convening a global conference on insects as food and feed. Here below is a summary of the key recommendations compiled by each stakeholder group, followed at the end by a full list of proposed actions as elaborated by each Working Group during the meeting. Private Sector: - create an international association of producers of insects as feed with secured funding,
- develop a position paper to influence policy development,
- write a roadmap for the industry on insect protein technology,
- set up a communication network between regulators, policy makers, scientists and NGOs, and
- develop product quality standards (e.g. pro-active self-regulation, certification).
Public Sector: - strengthen [inter-]national networking for information exchange,
- support research and relevant education/ curriculum development,
- improve awareness and collaboration among relevant ministries (Health, Agriculture, Environment, Education and Research according to country context).
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO): - become a “centre of excellence” for information exchange and networking among member countries,
- publish a technical paper outlining the state of the art on practices, opportunities and challenges of gathering and rearing edible insects,
- recognize “edible insects” as an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental activity and as an agenda item for its relevant Committees,
- take the lead to develop a multi-donor trust fund to facilitate further work by FAO and relevant stakeholders, including the development of field projects in interested member countries,
- develop a proposal for convening a global conference on edible insects, in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders and interested member countries,
- create a “tool kit” for communication/media staff on the importance of insects as food and feed.
Communication strategy - tailor targeted messages for different audiences,
- identify incentives for using insects as food,
- promote success stories and best practices,
- involve the (local) media to raise awareness, and distribute a tool kit to support communication efforts which describes the importance of gathering, rearing and consuming insects as food and feed,
- make a clear distinction between insects for food and for feed – carefully articulating different messages for each of these,
- seek endorsements from celebrities to enhance credibility,
- play down the sensationalist aspects of insect-eating by assembling a credible body of literature and “media-friendly” information.
Towards a global conference on Edible Insects as Food and Feed (2014) - Participants compiled a comprehensive list of logistical and technical considerations to be made in light of a possible global conference on edible insects, most likely to take place in 2014. Decisions regarding a possible venue, dates, and a potential programme will most likely rest with the preferences of potential conference donors. FAO was asked to compile a proposal and seek interest from potential donors.
To obtain the un-edited compilation of issues and proposed actions as elaborated by each Working Group during the meeting click here. |
