Partner Letter to EIB: Protix Project, Poland (Feb 2024)
Nicky Roberts
5th September '24
S3F partners in animal welfare recently flagged concerns with the European Investment Bank (EIB) regarding their financing deal with Protix, a Dutch firm involved in insect farming in Poland.
Their main concerns include the questionable sustainability of insect farming, given its high energy use and inefficiency compared to plant-based alternatives. The risk of supporting the industrial livestock sector is also highlighted, as insect feed would be a direct input for farming operations. Additionally, they note insect-based feed’s high cost compared to plant-based options.
Ecological risks, such as potential harm from released insects and their role as invasive species, are also significant risk factors, along with the welfare of insects and their potential sentience, which raises ethical concerns.
S3F partners urged the EIB to reconsider this large-scale investment and focus on more sustainable food solutions, given the limited environmental data and broader implications.
Use the link below to download and read the letter.
