EU Regulation 2017/893 — First Insect PAP Authorization in Aquaculture Feed
The first insect-specific EU authorization came in 2017 with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893, which amended Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The amendment permitted the use of processed animal proteins (PAPs) derived from insects in aquaculture feed for the first time in EU history, paving the way for subsequent expansion to poultry and pig feed.
Background
The TSE Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 historically imposed an EU-wide "feed ban" that prohibited feeding non-ruminant farmed animals with protein derived from animals (other than fur animals). The 2017 amendment carved out a narrow exception for insect PAPs in aquaculture feed, based on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion on the safety risks of pathogens in insects used as feed, the published hygiene standards for insect producers (IPIFF Guide on Good Hygiene Practices), and the traceability requirements of Reg (EC) No 178/2002 (General Food Law).
Authorised Insect Species (Initial 2017 Authorisation)
The first 2017 authorisation covered the seven insect species that have since become the EU insect-PAP core: Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), Musca domestica (common housefly), Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm), Alphitobius diaperinus (lesser mealworm), Acheta domesticus (house cricket), Gryllodes sigillatus (banded cricket) and Gryllus assimilis (Jamaican field cricket).
Companion Hygiene and Registration Requirements
The 2017 authorisation stands within a broader regulatory architecture: insect producers placing products on the EU feed market must be registered or approved as feed business operators under Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 (Feed Hygiene Regulation), which requires implementation of appropriate hygiene and safety standards. The Commission Regulation applies in conjunction with Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (General Food Law) establishing the fundamental principles and general requirements governing food and feed safety.
Significance
The 2017 authorisation of insect PAPs in aquafeed was the first crack in the EU "feed ban" and the precondition for the later 2021 poultry + pig feed authorization (see companion topic eu_2021_1372_poultry_pig_insect_pap). Aquaculture is the largest animal-feed sector by volume of insect-derived protein globally.
Source: pdf-raw/insect-protein-2026/ipiff-insects-eu-legislation-overview.html (IPIFF — International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed, Brussels — official guide on EU insect feed legislation; downloaded 2026-07-21, 294 KB). The 2017/893 regulation details are also cross-referenced against Argenta A110 regulatory review (April 2026, published by Argenta international animal health consultancy, downloaded from international-animalhealth.com).