Summary
BUGALPS is investigating how organic waste from agriculture and food production can be converted, with the help of insects, into sustainable protein sources for poultry and fish feed. The aim is to partially replace imported soya with regionally produced insect protein, thereby closing regional material cycles in the Alpine region. In addition to testing the entire value chain, the project is assessing environmental impacts, safety, economic viability and public acceptance. In doing so, the project is laying the foundations for regional, resource-efficient and circular feed production.
Project description
Poultry and fish production in the Alpine region is heavily reliant on imported soya as a source of protein. At the same time, large quantities of organic by-products and residues from agriculture and food production are generated, which have so far scarcely been integrated into high-quality material cycles.
The Interreg Alpine Space project BUGALPS is investigating how these residues can be converted into high-quality proteins for animal feed with the help of insects. Insects such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) or the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) utilise organic materials particularly efficiently and can produce protein-rich feed from them. Locally produced insect protein could partially replace imported soya whilst helping to retain valuable nutrients and resources within the Alpine region.
Since 2017, the European Union has permitted the use of certain insect species as feed for fish, poultry and pigs. Insects offer a protein-rich and sustainable alternative that is in line with the principles of the circular economy, as they can utilise organic waste materials. Furthermore, insects were already a natural part of the diet of poultry and fish in pre-industrial times and thus represent a species-appropriate and additive-free source of protein. Compared with conventional protein sources, insect production has a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Insects require very little water and land, thereby helping to reduce the consumption of natural resources.
Despite this potential, the use of insects as animal feed faces several challenges. These include a still low level of awareness amongst livestock farmers, organisational and logistical hurdles along the value chain, limited acceptance amongst consumers, and differing national and European legal frameworks.
Project partners from six Alpine countries are testing the entire value chain – from suitable organic by-products through insect rearing to feed production and its use in poultry and fish farming. The project is investigating feed and food safety, animal health, product quality, environmental impacts, economic feasibility and social acceptance.
In addition, BUGALPS is developing practical guidelines, training materials and recommendations for action for the agricultural sector, industry and policymakers. The aim is to establish regional, circular value chains that conserve resources, reduce waste, strengthen security of supply and minimise the ecological footprint of animal production.
Benefits of the project
By combining pilot schemes with the clarification of the legal framework, market instruments and targeted awareness-raising, the project is laying the groundwork for the long-term establishment of circular, insect-based feed systems in the Alpine region. It thus makes a concrete contribution to the sustainable transformation of the Alpine agricultural and food sector and serves as a transferable model for other regions.
The project results will be specifically communicated to key stakeholders such as farmers, feed manufacturers, SMEs, advisory bodies and public authorities to ensure practical relevance and acceptance. Direct exchange takes place via demonstration units, transnational workshops and policy dialogues.
Project details
Project title: BUildinG Circular Insect Value Chains for Animal Feed in ALPine Space
Project acronym: BugAlps
Project lead: E-institute, Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions (Slovenia)
AGES Project Manager: Dr Elisabeth Reiter
Project partners: University of Turin, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, ECOZEPT, Panvita Agriculture and Food Production Ltd., Alpenaquafarm Tirol GmbH, Hechenbichler GmbH, Bern University of Applied Sciences, TVT Innovation, Piedmont Region
Funding: EU funding programme – ETC (Interreg)
Project duration: 2026–2029
Last updated: 06.11.2026
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