Stakeholder workshop proposes standards for black soldier fly products

4 September 2024

As part of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) for Bio-Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability (BBEST) project activities, led by IITA and funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), one of the project's partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques (INERA), held a two-day technical workshop in Kinshasa on 19-20 July. The workshop proposed an inter-ministerial decree and aimed to define the standards for using black soldier fly larvae in animal feed production.

The event brought together various technical experts, representatives of the relevant ministries, researchers, members of environmental civil society, and actors in organic waste recycling. The workshop's highlight was a review of standards for using black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) and their by-products in animal feed and vegetable production.

The discussions highlighted the critical importance of these standards in ensuring food safety and promoting environmental sustainability. Participants explored how these standards can provide safe and healthy food by reducing pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella in animal feed.

From an environmental perspective, using black soldier fly larvae offers an innovative solution for recycling organic waste, thereby reducing waste volumes and the cost of agricultural products. This practice significantly contributes to sustainability by transforming food residue into valuable resources, promoting more environmentally friendly agriculture.

In addition, the proposed standards structure a market for these products, increasing the competitiveness of local products and offering small producers viable alternatives to economic and climatic challenges.

In terms of regulatory compliance, these standards ensure that production practices comply with European regulations, making it easier to place products on international markets. They cover organically produced feed production, preparation, import, processing, and marketing. By ensuring a sustainable and secure value chain, these standards are essential for developing organic farming in DRC, opening up new opportunities for local producers.

Contributed by Faustin Lokinda and Francisca Ocloo