May 2013: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released the ninth edition of its 2013 Infosylva newsletter following the inaugural International Conference on Forests for Food Security and Nutrition. The newsletter also highlights upcoming FAO and other forest-related events.

The newsletter features articles based on three reports on insects, the consumption of which can reduce obesity, enhance food security, and improve nutrition. The first report, titled ‘Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security,’ examines the potential use of insects, as well as issues concerning processing, handling and food safety. The second report, titled ‘Six legged livestock: edible insect farming, collection and marketing in Thailand,’ focuses on increasing the production and consumption of insects in Thailand. Finally, the report titled ‘The contribution of insects to food security, livelihoods and the environment’ reveals that insects currently supplement the diets of approximately 2 billion people and introduces the edible insects programme at FAO.

With regard to events, the newsletter reports on the International Conference on Forests for Food Security and Nutrition and highlights the upcoming conference on Forest Products and Technologies for the Future to be held in St. Petersburg Russia the 22 to 24 May, 2013. [Publication: Infosylva No.09/2013]