OFC 2023 Fringe Event
Join us online!
New for this year, OFC 2023 will start on 8 December 2022 with the fringe programme taking place online. Following the success of the last event, with more delegates able to attend their desired sessions, there will only be one fringe per hour.
Fera will be speaking at the fringe event, discussing our innovative thinking following the recently launched Insect Research Unit at Fera Science.
Read below to find the key topic for our fringe session, what we'll be talking about and watch this space as we update you on our speaking panel for the event.
Can Insect Bioconversion help provide Feed Security and Lower Carbon Footprint amid the growing Demand for Protein?
As the global demand for protein increases, Fera examines the benefits of insect protein to provide feed security to the farming industry. Insect protein has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of importing soya as part of production and can become an integral part in adopting regenerative practices. Fera discusses the current end-user perceptions of insect protein as well as the current UK regulation surrounding the alternative protein.
Having Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at Defra, offically open the new Insect Research Laboratory in August 2022, we are proud to have pioneered and launched the application of insect bioconversion to upcycle biomass residues into valorised products for the economy, at Fera Science.
The OFC Fringe Event will be an opportunity for our original thinking scientists to come and discuss challenges around cumulative biodiversity, climate, food and energy crises that collectively we are facing, with optimism and determination not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Key speakers attending the fringe session:
Thomas Wornham
Poultry and Arable Farmer, North Yorkshire
Thomas is the NFU Poultry representative for East Anglia, and NFU National Poultry Board member. The poultry board has a number of priorities; seeking alternative proteins for poultry diet being one and this is an area Thomas has been involved with. We look forward to having him with us for the fringe session this December.
Maureen Wakefield
Principal Scientist (Entomology), Fera Science
Maureen is a research entomologist, with over 33 years’ experience, whose current research interests focus around integrated pest management of agriculturally important invertebrate pests and invasive species and the potential use of insects as a novel source of protein for animal feed and other high value materials.
Paul Temple
Yorkshire Farmer
Paul Temple, who won the Farmer's Weekly Mixed Farmer of the Year in 2021. Paul describes himself as not only a mixed beef and arable farmer but also a soil scientist in the making. We are looking forward to hearing what Paul has to say around the challenges facing farmers in trying to reduce their negative environmental impact, and how insect bioconversion offers a unique solution to helping provide feed security and lower carbon footprint amid the growing demand for protein.
You can secure your place on our fringe session here >
