The ASEAN Food and Feed Insects Association (AFFIA) works to develop entomo-culture in ASEAN countries and companies
Bugsolutely joined AFFIA’s first meeting on the 23rd of August as a founding member of the association. Not only was it AFFIA’s first meeting, but it was also the first meeting of its kind in South-East Asia!
AFFIA joins the International Platform for Insects as Food and Feed (IPIFF) and the North American Edible Insects Association (NAEIC) in developing the edible insect industry. In the Tuesday meeting, members defined AFFIA’s mission as:
“The ASEAN Food and Feed Insects Association- AFFIA- aims at bringing industry and research stakeholders from the insects’ sector in a collaborative movement towards the development of entomoculture, entomophagy and their related activities.”
The meeting also allowed members to discuss common goals and objectives. The objectives agreed upon were to:
- Define regulatory requirements at National and ASEAN levels for insect products and to work in collaboration with the related authorities (national, regional, international)
- Work together on access to markets, at local regional and international levels, especially EU and US markets
- Work in sub-groups under two main sectors called “Food” and “Feed”. Food includes insect species having most of their applications as human food (e.g. pet food [crickets]). Feed includes insect species having most of their applications as animal feed (e.g. waste management).
- Promote the consumption of insects
- Work together on transboundary issues to define shared positions (e.g. halal status)
Future Steps
Through AFFIA, companies and countries involved in entomo-culture can learn from each other’s various specialities and knowledge in the industry. AFFIA’s next steps are to map out the industry within ASEAN countries and create a plan for upcoming activities to further the association’s objectives.
For more information visit: www.affia.org
Food Navigator featured an article about AFFIA here.