The growing human population, changing dietary habits and intensifying competition between food and feed production underline the urgent need to explore novel sustainable production chains. In the past, the poultry sector has gained popularity due to its superior environmental and economic benefits compared to other livestock production systems. Therefore, it is of special interest to focus on refinement and innovation along the value chain to further improve the sector’s sustainability. One major issue is the transition towards sustainable protein sources in poultry feed. In this regard, insects are the secret rising stars. Insect species such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and house fly (Musca domestica) have been proposed for farming as multifunctional mini-livestock for feed. One major property of these flies is that larvae can convert low-quality organic waste streams into valuable body mass containing high levels of high-quality protein and fat. Furthermore, the larvae are reported to have health- and welfare-promoting effects due to bioactive compounds and poultry having a natural interest in them. The aim of the current paper is to discuss the state-of-the-art of using black soldier fly and house fly larvae as components of poultry feed and to highlight knowledge gaps, future opportunities and challenges. Some first studies have focussed on the successful partial replacement of soybean meal or fishmeal by these insects on poultry performance. However, since the sector is still in its infancy several uncertainties remain to be addressed. More research is required on identifying optimal inclusion levels, clearly differentiating between insect products based on their nutritional value and health-stimulating effects, and comparing the potential of insect products across species.
During the last decade the potential of insects for human nutritional protein is increasingly recognised. Direct consumption of insects contributes to a reduction of the ecological footprint of human food production and is claimed to have health benefits. An alternative is feeding poultry (broilers and layers) with insect-derived protein. This offers several additional advantages, e.g. a more extensive use of (new sources) of organic by-products of food industry for insect production. Implementation of a People-Planet-Profit (PPP) sustainable way of utilising these opportunities requires the development of sustainable business models. Such business models need to be based on the opportunities of insect-derived protein in feeding poultry but should also include the risks associated with insect-derived protein for feeding poultry. This article explores the insect-fed poultry production value chain through an interdisciplinary approach. First, the essential features of this value chain are described. Then, an inventory and classification is made of the main opportunities and risks of this value chain. Finally, the opportunity-risk trade-offs are discussed, as well as their implications for developing sustainable business models. We conclude that for PPP-sustainable business models, management of the asymmetric trade-offs between opportunities and risks related to possible contamination of organic by-products used as substrate for insect production should receive prime attention. Implications for organising the value chain are discussed.
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