Fera Science launches £1m Laboratory for Insect Bioconversion at York base

Fera Science Ltd (“Fera”), a pioneer in expert agri-food and environmental science services, is delighted to announce the opening of its specialist insect laboratory today at its York Biotech Campus (YBC) location. The £1m expansion involved converting a former storage unit on site into a purpose-built insect research unit, increasing Fera’s presence at YBC by over 2,000 sq. ft.

This expert research and development (R&D) facility will support the rapid growth of insect bioconversion to upcycle biomass residues into valorised products. Fera’s R&D services will help a variety of industries to evaluate the feasibility and scale up processes by which they can best adopt the technology.

Fera has led insect bioconversion R&D in the UK and EU for the past 10 years. The laboratory, which is the first of its kind in the UK and one of the first in Europe, enables Fera to help meet the needs of global clients from across the food industry by expanding the scope and scale of its current insect services to ‘twin’ the process of insect bioconversion at factory production scale.

Insect bioconversion is the process of feeding insect biomass residue to create valorised products, such as high quality proteins and oils, packaging materials or soil nutrients. It is a circular economic practice that reduces waste, provides alternative – sustainably sourced - ingredients for animal feed. Most of Fera’s work has focused on developing this application with black soldier fly larvae for a multitude of reasons which lend themselves to an efficient production process and yielding product which is protein rich, contains a good balance of essential amino acids, minerals and fats - highly suitable for feeding to monogastric animals (such as poultry, pigs and fish).

Fera is able to advise its clients on the cost reductions as well as optimising the circular economy benefits of insect bioconversion in line with net carbon zero objectives and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The laboratory will also enable collaborations with universities, start-ups, insect farms and associated national and international regulatory authorities, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Food Standards Agency.

Dr Andrew Swift, Chief Executive Officer at Fera Science said:

“Today’s launch of our specialist insect laboratory is an important step in the delivery of expert support from Fera to help the food production industry and its stakeholders, in both the commercial and public sector, to respond to the opportunity this technology presents.

“The rising pressure to meet consumption for the growing population globally estimates that more than 250 million metric tonnes of additional protein will be needed per year in the decades ahead. This puts immense pressure on our current animal feed protein sources such as soy and fishmeal which are derived from unsustainable sources. Insect bioconversion presents one route to provide sustainably sourced protein into the food chain to help overcome this challenge. Under a circular economy, this technology can  reduce biomass waste through consumption and conversion into high quality protein for animal feed as well as other bi-products of high value to food production."

Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said:

“I am delighted to see Fera opening this state-of-the-art insect research laboratory. This is a critical time for innovation in biotechnology and the insect unit has the potential to reduce our impact on the environment, making progress towards a more circular economy.

“The breadth of national and international partners involved will help ensure its success and demonstrates Fera’s international reputation for taking scientific innovation to new markets.”

About Fera:

Fera is a national and international centre of excellence for interdisciplinary investigation and problem solving across plant and bee health, crop protection, sustainable agriculture, food and feed quality and chemical safety in the environment.

We create and deliver integrated, innovative and expert research services and products for our partners in crop protection, chemical and animal health companies, as well as food producers and growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. We also support and work closely with governments, academia and leading research organisations.

Fera's Insect Services here: https://www.fera.co.uk/insect-bioconversion-reforming-the-food-system

The First International Plant Health Conference

21-23 September, Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London

The First International Plant Health Conference aims to address new and emerging plant health challenges, including climate change impacts, the risks associated with significant increase in international trade, the rapid loss of biological diversity and new pest pathways such as e-commerce by exploring more efficient national, regional and global policies, structures and mechanisms.

Fera will be running poster sessions across the 3 days of the conference and attending with some of our early career scientists. Each day the theme of the posters will reflect the themes of the conference:

Day 1 - Food Security

Day 2 - Environmental Protection

Day 3 - Safe Trade

Fera Presentation from Don Walker

Join Don Walker at the IPHC where he will be presenting:

Exploiting previously undetermined sequences from historical virus isolate collections (VirusCurate)

Fera Posters

Conference attendance

Click here to register to attend the conference in person.

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iPharma 2022

Join us at the event!

We have a highly experienced team of scientists with expertise in Physico-chemical Properties, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fate. Dr. Howard Easterfield will be on hand to discuss our work in ERA, if you'd like to book some time for a chat over a coffee simply email [email protected].
 
At Fera, we have vast experience of conducting GLP studies to support regulatory environmental risk assessments. We can support with the design and delivery of studies for both European and US submissions, and our team of scientists can guide you through the testing process for your product.

Fera will be exhibiting at the iPharma event so join us there!

Join us at iPharma and register today

Click here to register

ABIM 2022

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Fera will be exhibiting at the ABIM event so join us there!

Watch this space for more information coming soon.

Join us at ABIM and register today

Click here to register

Following an upward trend in wireworm damage in root vegetable and cereal crops throughout the UK, industry leaders have joined forces to co-fund a Fera-led R&D project  to find an end-to-end solution for the sector.

Representatives from Syngenta, Frontier, G’s Fresh, Elveden Estate, Pearce Seeds, Inov3PT and Blackthorn Arable are collaborating on Enigma I to understand wireworm and its changing patterns of damage in greater detail.

“It’s fantastic to launch our first Enigma project with the support of seven prominent agribusinesses, representing a range of crops and stages in the supply chain,” says Dr. Larissa Collins, entomology R&D team leader at Fera Science Ltd.

“Over its 3-year programme, Fera will undertake research that looks at further understanding the current wireworm species affecting crops and also the lifecycles of wireworm, with the aim of finding successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques capable of controlling the pest.”

The Enigma I partners have all reported growing levels of wireworm damage affecting their respective sectors, hence their motivation for supporting research into the pest.

Wireworm infestation is reported to cause annual yield losses of up to 10%, which includes damaged potatoes being downgraded to stock feed, salad potato crops being rejected by buyers and the useable yield of carrots being reduced.

“Being part of Enigma I will help us to understand why wireworm damage within our lettuce crop is increasing significantly. The problem is not just the yield loss from individual plants, it creates massive inefficiencies for the harvesting crews, which adds very significant labour costs,” says Peter Saunders, iceberg crop manager, G’s Fresh.

Wireworm damage is also posing a barrier for the Enigma I partners working to implement regenerative agriculture practices.

“From several angles, having a crop in the ground at all times of the year is the right thing to do, but we need effective soil pest management options to help stay on top of wireworm through each rotation,” says Andrew Francis, Farms Director at Elveden Farms Ltd.

“By increasing our understanding of how different species of wireworm respond to cover crops and min-till agriculture, this Enigma project will be extremely beneficial.”

Syngenta’s field technical manager, Max Newbert, also highlights how the learnings from the collaborative research could have a positive impact on the environment.

“With the loss of actives to control wireworm, we’re keen to find alternative preventative solutions and strategies. Going forward, environmental stewardship is only going to become more important for growers, and understanding the wireworm issue in further detail is key to more targeted use of prophylactics.”

For more information on Enigma I, to enquire about joining the project or to express your interest in future Enigma projects, please visit: https://www.fera.co.uk/our-science/enigma-research-model

Fruit Focus 2022

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Fera will be exhibiting at the Fruit Focus event so join us there!

Watch this space for more information coming soon.

Join us at Fruit Focus and register today

Click here to register

The value of all the economic, environmental, and social benefits that plants and trees provide each year in the UK is estimated at £15.7 billion? Healthy plants and trees benefit all, which is why it is so important that everyone works together to prevent the introduction and spread of organisms (non-native pests, such as insects, and disease-causing organisms) harmful to trees, woodlands, and forests.

Although tree pests and diseases can spread naturally with some pests and pathogens arrive on the wind, other pathways include people bringing plants back from abroad and the globalisation of trade, which has increased significantly over the last few decades and is seen as one of the major risk pathways.

The Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot means that, from June 2022, applicants for funding under the England Woodland Creation Offer and the Future Farming Tree Health Pilot must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who are either accredited under the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or who have passed a Ready to Plant assessment. Fera Science Ltd (Fera) are proud to play their role in supporting this new Biosecurity pilot as the only organisation asked to manage the Ready To Plant (RTP) assessment element.

The threat of pests and disease is significant and growing so introducing the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot now will address these risks to biosecurity, minimise the net loss to existing treescape, and serve to realise the long-term vision for trees and woodlands.

The RTP assessment requires:

• Tree suppliers must demonstrate their compliance with robust plant health management standards
• From June, applicants to government tree planting grants must source saplings from approved suppliers.

This pilot will enable suppliers to demonstrate that their operational practices comply with the industry benchmark Plant Health Management Standard. This Standard includes protocols which are key to developing a robust plant health management system and sets out practical requirements for suppliers to help protect the plant supply chain.

Professor Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

“Our biosecurity standards are among the highest in Europe. As we build back greener, we must consider new and ambitious ways to not simply maintain these standards but further strengthen them.

“By leading the way with this new pilot, we are addressing the significant and increasing threat of pests and diseases and building a strong biosecurity culture across the country.”

Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission Chair, said:

“Our nation’s biosecurity will be integral to the success of our tree planting ambitions.

“This pilot will ensure that the forestry sector plays its role in upholding rigorous standards of biosecurity and in doing so, safeguards our much-loved trees and forests for generations to come.”

Glyn Jones, Head of Science (Plant) said:

“At Fera, we have a long track record of supporting government and policy by demonstrating the importance of science and data in monitoring and evaluating agri-environment schemes designed to support environmental sustainability manage land into the future. We were therefore very pleased to be awarded the role of assessors of RTP pilot and play our role in supporting the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot.”

“It’s vital that those of us working across the agricultural and forestry industry recognise the support and guidance landowners and suppliers may need to strengthen UK biosecurity and support long-term plant health management decision making. We all have a role to play in ensuring our treescape remains viable from an economic, environmental and social perspective and we have to start acting now if we’re going to have the chance to make a notable difference for the generations that follow.”

To find out more about the new Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot's Ready to Plant scheme and how Fera can help you click here.

Food Safety Conference 2022

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Fera will be exhibiting at the Food Safety Conference so join us there!

Watch this space for more information coming soon.

Join us at Food Safety Conference and register today!

Click here for more information about the conference.

World Buiatrics Congress 2022

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Madrid will welcome approximately 2,000 delegates; including veterinary practitioners working with dairy and beef cattle and other ruminants, scientists from universities and research institutes, consultants for production medicine, professionals from related companies and associations, students of veterinary or animal science schools, and so on.

Fera will be exhibiting on stand no.25 at WBC this year, join us for the event.

Fera have over 20 study directors in our chemical safety labs with over 400 years of combined experience. We continuously invest in our people and support them in delivering the best science to our partners. 

Click here to see how our original thinkers at Fera can support your sustainable goals today!

or

Contact Howard Easterfield to book an appointment > [email protected]

Croptec 2022

Join us at the event!

The event at the East of England Showground equipped the industry with the knowledge and resources to develop resilient farming businesses, enabling them to meet upcoming challenges.

Fera will be exhibiting at Croptec and taking with us some of our most recent launches; LAND360 and Enigma.

Read below to find out more information on our current and latest work...

Research & Development

With over 100 years' experience of delivering pest and disease identification services to a wide range of commercial growers and Government departments, both in the UK and overseas, we understand the needs of our customers.

Our R&D is delivered over three sections, Crop, Pest Management and Pathology

Plant Clinic

Fera's Plant Clinic is the largest in the UK. Our work supports healthy plants and crops, increasing sustainable food production and protecting the environment.

We can identify plant pests and pathogens found in arable crops, vegetables, trees, ornamental plants, protected edibles, seeds, soft fruit, turf and water.

Grower Support Tools

Fera has developed a range of tools, online databases and technology to support farmers and growers, to help the agricultural industry produce more crops to feed an ever-growing population more efficiently whilst using fewer resources and pesticides.

Insect Monitoring

Our insect monitoring capabilities provide the information to assess virus transmission risk helping growers to target insecticide applications more accurately to reduce costs and waste, optimise resources and improve yields.

LAND360

Click here to read about our latest launch of a new land assessment service designed to measure, monitor and asses natural capital.

Enigma

Enigma is Fera’s strategic R&D model established to support continued research, innovation and knowledge transfer across the agri-food sector through a joined-up approach with Fera and industry partners. 

Click here to read more.

We hope to see you there and answer any questions you might have!