In the past decade, bugs have become a familiar sight dinner tables. One reason this is they are a great source of protein. Another reason is that people are concerned the environment. Traditional livestock farming is detrimental to the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly. One kilogram insect protein needs about 10 per cent the feed, water and land used to produce the same amount beef. Experts say farming insects is better the environment than raising livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because the rise the world's population. By 2050 this is expected to be 9.8 billion, from the current 7.7 billion.
The insect farming industry is growing quickly. There are hundreds companies worldwide creating meals made bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now stock food made insects. There are vending machines Tokyo, Japan where you can purchase a can insect snacks. The menu includes dried tarantula and scorpions. However, not everyone is excited the idea of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "yuck factor" to the thought eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon be widely accepted, just like eating raw fish sushi was embraced."
