Black Soldier Fly: Boosting a Sustainable Future

This course is ideal for professionals working in:

• Animal feed, food and pet food industry
• Waste management and bioconversion
• Policymaking and regulation related to food and feed
• Research and higher education related to insect-based innovations and circular agriculture

No prior knowledge on BSF is required, but a background in life sciences, agri-food, or related sectors is helpful. So, whether you're from the private sector, government, or academia, if you're passionate about learning and connecting to BSF and sustainable solutions, this is the course for you.

• Understand key factors driving BSF production, safety, and scalability
• Gain knowledge on BSF and their larvae in different stages in the BSF value chain
• Have a basic overview of legislation, ethics, safety standards and economical frameworks
• Learn how BSF fit larger sustainable food, feed and waste systems
• Be inspired by the latest scientific insights and innovations
• Expand your professional network with global experts and peers

This course offers a unique combination of theoretical and practical knowledge. Topics include:

• The biology and rearing of black soldier flies
• BSF as a solution for organic waste conversion
• Applications in animal nutrition (pets, poultry, pigs, fish and ruminants)
• Processing technologies and product quality
• Feed safety, legislation, and ethical considerations
• Economic aspects and business models
• Fertilizer applications and environmental impact
• Excursion to KU Leuven, Belgium including Labs & the Insect Pilot Plant
• Research pitches by PhD students

Throughout the course you learn from over 20+ world-class experts in entomology, food safety, animal nutrition, and circular agriculture.

The course is coordinated by professor Arnold van Huis (Lab of Entomology , WUR), the sessions are co-chaired by WUR-colleagues Prof. Marcel Dicke (Lab of Entomology, WUR), Dr. Dennis Oonincx (Animal Sciences, WUR) and Dr. Teun Veldkamp (Wageningen Livestock Research). The format includes ample time for participants to ask questions and engage with the invited professors and researchers including Dr Harry Aiking (VU, The Netherlands), Prof. Mik Van der Borght, Prof. Jeroen De Smet and Prof. Dries Vandeweyer (KU Leuven, Belgium), Prof. Laura Gasco (UNITO, Italy) Dr Cecilia Lalander (SLU, Sweden), Dr Daniela Peguera (EAWAG, Switzerland) and Prof. Jeff Tomberlin (TAMU, USA).

After completing the programme, you are awarded with a certificate.

• A closer look at four residual flows as insect feed
• Insects as chicken feed: a natural and sustainable idea
• From waste management to protein innovation: Black soldier fly as an embodiment of the circular bioeconomy