The unusual residents of an unique St Davids farm recently met some well known visitors.

Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, visited Dr Beynon's Bug Farm and Grub Kitchen, and was given a tour by founder, Dr Sarah Beynon, meeting Jeff the giant Madagascan hissing cockroach and Georgina the green bean stick insect in the Tropical Bug Zoo.

The businesses featured in a recent BBC1 documentary 'The Bug Grub Couple', and has researched valuing nature in the farmed environment and determining benefits to farmers of agri-environment scheme options.

The Cabinet Secretary was interested in Sarah's work in collaboration with Aberystwyth University, which put an economic value on the services delivered to the UK cattle industry by dung beetles. The team found that dung beetles could save the UK cattle industry more than £367 million per year.

She then enjoyed a cricket cookie in The Grub Kitchen run by Andy Holcroft, and discussed the future of insect farming in Wales and the potential of insects as food.

She said: “The Welsh Government will endeavour to support, where appropriate, those businesses wishing to develop alternative methods of protein while also continuing to improve the sustainability of our agricultural industry. I wish you every success in the future.”

Christine and Neil Hamilton AM have also enjoyed a visit to the farm and lunch at Grub Kitchen.

The couple said: “It is fast becoming a real jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire and hopefully will continue to attract lots of people. Insect farming could well be a massive growth industry in the future and I am delighted that Pembrokeshire is showing the way.”

The Bug Farm and Grub Kitchen are open to the public on weekends and during school holidays. For more information visit www.thebugfarm.co.uk