Import of processed animal protein (PAP) derived from farmed insects not for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/45
Published 2 December 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/processed-animal-protein-not-for-human-consumption-import-information-notes/import-of-processed-animal-protein-pap-derived-from-farmed-insects-not-for-human-consumption-import-information-note-iin-abp45
1. General information
This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.
References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
2. Scope
Import conditions for processed animal protein (PAP) derived from farmed insects not intended for human consumption, including mixtures and products other than pet food containing such protein for the manufacture of feed for aquaculture animals, feed for fur animals, pet food and technical use.
Annex IV, Chapter II point (c) (ii) of Regulation (EC) 999/2001 has been amended to permit the use of PAP derived from farmed insects for the use in feed for aquaculture animals.
Regulation (EU) 142/2011 does permit the use of PAP for the production of pet food and feed for fur animals and Regulation (EU) 2017/893 lays down the sourcing, processing and import requirements for PAP derived from farmed insects for use in the manufacture of these products.
Note
At present, the use of PAP derived from insects is not permitted for the use or manufacture of feed for any other farmed animals (including poultry) apart from aquaculture animals and fur animals.
For PAP derived from ABPs other than farmed insects please refer to IIN ABP1.
This IIN does not cover the import of finished aquaculture feed containing PAP derived from insects. For the requirements for importing compound feed and finished feed intended for aquaculture animals please contact the Food Standards Agency (FSA) by email at AnimalFeed1@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.
3. Permitted species and their feed use
Species of insects permitted
PAP derived from farmed insects, intended for the production of aquaculture feed, fur animal feed, pet food and technical use may only be produced from the following insect species:
- black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)
- common housefly (Musca domestica)
- yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)
- lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus)
- house cricket (Acheta domesticus)
- banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus)
- field cricket (Gryllus assimilis)
Use of ABP or derived products from ABP as feed for insects intended for processing into PAP
The substrate for the feeding of insects intended for processing into PAP may only contain products of non-animal origin or the following products of animal origin of Category 3 material:
- fishmeal
- blood products from non-ruminants
- di- and tricalcium phosphate of animal origin
- hydrolysed proteins from non-ruminants
- hydrolysed proteins from hides and skins of ruminants
- gelatine and collagen from non-ruminants
- eggs and egg products
- milk, milk based-products
- milk-derived products and colostrum
- honey
- rendered fats
The substrate for the feeding of insects and the insects or their larvae must not have been in contact with any other materials of animal origin than those mentioned above, and the substrate must not contain manure, catering waste or other waste.
4. Production standards
PAP derived from farmed insects must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex X, Chapter II, Section 1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. In particular Point B of that Section lays down the processing requirements as set out in Chapter III of Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.
The competent authority must also examine a random sample of the PAP derived from insects immediately prior to dispatch which must meet the following standards:
Salmonella: absence in 25g: n = 5, c = 0, m = 0, M = 0
Enterobacteriaceae: n = 5, c = 2, m = 10, M = 300 in 1g
Storage requirements are laid down in Annex X, Chapter II, Section 1, Point C.
5. Country of origin
Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in the documents for fresh meat of ungulates published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers for:
6. Approved establishments
Annex IV, chapter IV, section F of assimilated Regulation 999/2001 requires that the PAP derived from farmed insects intended for use in aquaculture feed must be produced in processing plants dedicated exclusively to the production of products derived from farmed insects.
Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.
Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)
Find approved EU ABP establishments
If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.
7. Health certification
Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.
Model health certificates for other animal by-products
This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:
8. Labelling requirements
PAP derived from farmed insects and the label thereof shall be clearly marked with the following words: “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION / Processed insect protein — shall not be used in feed for farmed animals except aquaculture and fur animals”.
9. Contact for further information
For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:
Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301