Exporting edible insects to Germany

Question

Hi. Is anyone familiar with the import conditions for Germany pertaining to (six-legged) Products of Animal Origin? I have a potential customer there but, because EU regs on insects aren’t harmonised yet, am having difficulty getting good current information.

Answer

Hello

This is not a sector we have direct experience of but understand that insects are considered "novel" foods by the EU

These link may help you understand more.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-5875_en.htm

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1449760581954&uri=OJ:JOL_2015_327_R_0001

dEFRA Enquiries Team for Pet Exports, Meat and Dairy Product Exports and Miscellaneous Product Export

Email: [email protected]
(for meat, dairy and miscellaneous product export enquiries)

Kind regards
Sandra Sullivan
Food & Drink Exporters Association

Answer

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it.

My understanding is that the designation of insects as novel foods won’t come into force until the end of 2017, so we are currently in something of a transition period. I know that each country in the EU has quite different regulations regarding the import of insects but can’t locate anything about the German import conditions with regard to produce that’s been through the UK inspection/CVED process.

I’ll drop an email to APHA as you suggest.

Many thanks.

Fred

Export Action Plan