Comparing environmental impacts from insects for feed and food as an alternative to animal production

Abstract

This chapter systematically compares and contrasts the known environmental impacts of traditional vertebrate animal production with insect production intended for both food and animal feed. There are major physiological and biological differences between traditional livestock species and insects, which often translate into lower environmental impacts from insect production. However, insect production systems are still in their infancy and there are still major improvements to be made. Based on our analysis, the greatest potential of insects is the prospect of feeding them various kinds of waste products from agriculture, industry and households. This chapter can serve as a reference guide for future research into the environmental impacts of insects for food and feed.