The industry has generated estimated revenue of. 6 million over the last decade, but since the UK left the EU, it has lost its ability to trade. Maisie Paddon hoped to sell insect-based burgers, sausages and curries through Be Bugs at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. He told the PA news agency: “We have a five-star hygiene rating, which is excellent. But, of course, we were not surprised when we received our response from Glastonbury. “They had to contact my local authority and (the council) understood that the insects were illegal.” “There is always the risk of closing” Aaron Thomas, who runs the Yum Bug meal delivery company from north London, said: “There is always the risk of closing. “We just did an inspection by our local environmental health officer [EHO] but … they may have a conversation with a different EHO or someone senior in their office, who may have a different opinion about insects in general, they may not have had much experience and tell them “Actually no, I think that you have to close the company “. In 2018, the EU introduced food regulations that ruled that edible insects were new food, meaning new security controls were needed, including in the United Kingdom. When the United Kingdom formally withdrew from the EU in early 2020, no transition to the edible insect industry was agreed upon, and while traders in Europe could continue, the United Kingdom traders did not agree. A decision by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is expected in June, which could allow businesses to trade temporarily in the UK. The Woven Network, which represents the industry, is also seeking permanent approval for the sale of foods containing crickets and mealworms. Collaborates with the European equivalent to provide evidence that insect consumption is safe, although evaluation may take up to 18 months. “We have full confidence that it is safe” Nick Rousseau, director of the Woven Network, said that before the new EU regulations, people could eat and trade insect products freely in the UK “completely legally for many years”. He added: “We are absolutely confident that they are safe. “The FAO, the World Food and Agriculture Organization, says they are safe as long as your farming and product development practices do not pose contaminants or other hazards. So, by nature, they are edible.” Michael Wight, head of food safety policy at the FSA, said: “We know that edible insects, as part of the alternative protein market, can offer benefits, especially to the environment.” He added: “We work hard to support and advise businesses and businesses so they can provide high quality dossiers and evidence as part of their novel food applications.”
