The UK Edible Insect Association has seen its membership increase by 30% ahead of its planned conference: Nest 1.0, which is open to anyone with an interest in the farmed insect protein sector.

The conference, which will take place at the University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington campus on 24-25 April 2025, will provide up-to-the-minute insights into subjects as varied as:

• adding insect farming to traditional agricultural sites
• health and welfare needs when working with insect herds,
• the growth of the pet food industry
• and the incredible protein content and health benefits of insects
• among many other fascinating topics.

Reflecting the now very substantial UK sector – estimated at around 60 companies with new ones starting every month - it will also include presentations from leading entrepreneurs, a panel discussion, workshops, an exhibition and a strong focus on networking including a celebratory meal with insect-based dishes on the menu.

New members joining the trade body include the multi-million-pound turnover waste management company MYGroup, one of a growing cohort of insect farming tech providers, a farming welfare expert setting her sights on ensuring health and welfare issues are considered as part of insect farming, an author hoping to encourage children to consider bugs as food, and a student carrying out research into life cycle costing of alternative protein sources for human consumption to name but a few.

Managing Director of UKEIA, Nick Rousseau, said: “UKEIA has had an increased presence in 2024, being asked to appear at a growing number of events, including for the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and at all of them, people are asking about the potential of insect protein. Whether that’s national farming groups, major food sauce brands, bakeries, waste management companies or food service companies looking to offer their customers more sustainable options, now is the time for our sector to set out its stall and show the wider food and agriculture sector what is possible.

“Nest 1.0 will provide an opportunity for farmers, restaurateurs, researchers, teachers and more to come along and examine the world of insect protein closely. UKEIA intends to push for change on behalf of our members, but this will only come if we can work together and demonstrate the sector’s potential contribution to the British economy and the creation of ‘green jobs’. Our conference will enable us to plan how we can best work together.”

New business members FlyBox, headed up by CEO Larry Kotch, who’s also elected to join the UKEIA Board of Directors, said: “Joining the leadership of UKEIA was a great step for us to help bring in some of the lessons learned around the world building insect waste management facilities for customers. With eight projects ongoing in 2024, including four in the UK, Flybox is hoping to lead by example and help the next generation of insect farmers and food/waste businesses embrace the power of insect bioconversion easily and quickly.

“UKEIA’s deep connections to research and regulatory organisations is key to smoothing the path for new entrants and we're proud to contribute to that collective effort.”

Colin Atkin, the new Project & Sales Manager for MYGroup, a waste management, upcyling and recycling firm that processes around 800,000 tons of waste a year, decided to join UKEIA after seeing MD Nick Rousseau present on the future of insect protein at a recent Royal Entomological Society conference in Sheffield.

He said: “Construction is currently underway for MYGroup’s first Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farm and insect processing plant, based within our established protein hydrolysis facility. We’ll be rearing insects on different waste streams, then using extraction systems that allow us to utilise bio-based processes for reduced carbon treatment of waste, alongside producing low-carbon materials such as sustainable proteins and fats.

“At MYGroup we aim to ‘close the loop’ on all types of waste and we’re committed to continuous investment and service improvements to achieve this aim – diverting from landfill and incineration. We had a fantastic year in 2023, investing over £1.5million into recycling, recovery and renewable energy projects on site in Yorkshire, increasing group turnover to over £20million and we see our membership of UKEIA as intrinsic to sharing our successes and challenges with others up and coming in the sector.”

Tickets for Nest 1.0 are on sale now, with discounts for members