Feeding the future? Michelmores contributes specialist expertise to landmark WWF and Tesco insect protein roadmap.

Feeding the future? Michelmores contributes specialist expertise to landmark WWF and Tesco insect protein roadmap.

As part of an ADAS-led consortium, Michelmores’ Sustainable Agriculture team is delighted to have been selected to collaborate on a project funded by WWF-UK’s ground-breaking partnership with Tesco. Michelmores is a leading authority on the regulations governing the use of insect protein both for human consumption and in animal feed, and the Firm is providing its unique and specialist expertise to support the project. The team will work alongside Multibox, a producer of insects from vegetable waste.

The consortium’s goal is to develop a roadmap indicating how the production of insect protein for animal feed can be scaled up so that it can begin to displace fishmeal and eventually soybean meal, both known to contribute to deforestation and the depletion of natural resources. Insect derived animal feed has the potential to be a more sustainable protein source for chickens, pigs and salmon by helping to reduce the negative environmental impact increasingly associated with the requirements of meat and fish production.

Of the project, Michelmores’ Senior Associate, Rachel O’Connor, a specialist in the law associated with developing insect protein for animal feed said:

“The legislation in this area is complex and requires significant overhaul to pave the way for the industry to succeed. We will provide a comprehensive review of not just feed legislation, but waste regulation as well as proposing legislative changes in those areas and submitting ideas for Government support within the framework of the developing agricultural legislation that is on the horizon.”

Rachel’s cross-departmental team includes Sustainable Agriculture practice lead: Partner, Ben Sharples, and Commercial, IP and Regulatory specialists: Partner, David Thompson who were supported by Solicitor Seema Nanua.

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