We talked with Massimo Reverberi, founder of Bugsolutely and one of the promoters of the newborn AFFIA (Asean Food and Feed Insects Association), to get an impression on the work of the first Meeting held in Bangkok.
“We had a difficult project start-up, because in Thailand it didn’t take off. So, also to “increase the numbers”, we had the idea to extend it to Southeast Asia, to aggregate the feed sector (which for example in Malaysia and Vietnam is prevalent) and to involve academics.
Thanks to the efforts of Nathan Preteseille of Aets, the first meeting saw a participation we didn’t expect.
At the meeting various options for organizational formula were presented, we decided the name and in the next weeks official logo and website will be defined, while a newsletter has already been activated.
The main goals of AFFIA are:
– Spread the idea that insects are a viable solution to food problems, both directly (human food) and indirectly (as animal feed)
– Represent the interests and quality of Asian players in the international sector of edible insects
– The dialogue with Institutions and Public Services to make them support and understand the edible insect industry
– To share scientific, industrial (unless protected by intellectual property) and legislative informations
Relations with other associations such as IPIFF and Woven Network have already started, and relations with Little Herds (USA) and Grimiam (Switzerland) will be activated in days.
The Aets Consultants company provides organizational support to facilitate the early months of activity.
AFFIA also represents an interesting and promising model of cooperation between East and West, infact about half of the companies currently involved are directed by europeans”.
