# Identification of Legal Barriers to the Rearing and Processing of Insects in the EU—Implications Based on a Case Study

## TL;DR

This paper identifies legal barriers to insect farming in the EU and suggests changes to laws to support sustainable insect-based agriculture.

## Contribution

The study proposes legal reforms to improve insect farming and frass utilization while aligning with circular economy goals.

## Key findings

- Legal barriers exist regarding feeding insects with agricultural and food waste.
- Frass processing and sale face regulatory challenges that could be resolved with legal changes.
- Insect farming has potential to reduce waste and support circular economy principles.

## Abstract

Insect farming in Europe is evolving into a new branch of agriculture. Interest in the production of insects arises from the search for new, inexpensive and environmentally friendly sources of protein, mostly for animal feeds. Insects have been classified as farm animals; therefore, the legal regulations concerning insect breeding and rearing are based on the laws governing farm animals, which gives rise to problems in some areas. The purpose of this paper is to identify the legal regulations that hinder the development of insect farming and manufacture of insect-based products, and to suggest changes to existing laws. The identification of such barriers was achieved against the backdrop of external and internal factors influencing the growth of this sector. The study allowed us to identify two legal problems related to these areas: (1) the approval of feeding insects with residues from agriculture, the agricultural and food processing industry, as well as delicatessen and catering by-products and waste; and (2) the conditions for processing insect frass for the fertilization of agricultural and horticultural crops, and the approval of the sale of frass. It was concluded that by expanding the inventory of acceptable products from agricultural or food waste (catering waste) for feeding insects, it would be possible to reduce costs of waste management in agriculture and in the catering industry. Regarding the second problem mentioned, it was found that expanding the catalogue of methods for the preparation of frass and allowing frass to be handled in the same way as animal production residues are managed could significantly reduce costs and enable entrepreneurs to optimize technologies for the production of fertilizers from insect excreta.

Insect farming for several purposes, which inscribes itself into circular economy, could become an alternative to traditional agriculture in Europe. Insects are a more sustainable and circular alternative source of protein and fat in food and feeds. The aim of this study is to identify legal barriers to the rearing of insects and marketing of insect-based products. The study focuses on the identification of such barriers to insect rearing and to the production of fertilizers from insect frass. The dogmatic legal method, as well as SWOT and PESTEL analyses, are employed in this research. The two latter methods are used to gain insight into the views held by the industry’s stakeholders. Subsequently, issues within the research field, such as the rearing of insects, their welfare, and the requirements imposed on the feeding of farmed insects, are discussed. Finally, solutions to the identified problems are suggested. The most important strengths of insect farming are its innovative edge and the creation of new products at the EU level. Weaknesses include technological and organizational challenges. Stakeholders attribute high importance to external circumstances, especially economic and social ones. As concluded from this study, the current laws are not optimal for insect farming; however, despite this situation, some changes to the law could facilitate the acquisition of feed for insects or the marketing of some insect-based products. The proposed legal changes aim at lifting the identified barriers to insect farming while still meeting safety requirements and supporting circular economy principles.