Robust Food Waste Targets Backed by MEPs
12 Apr 2017 --- European politicians have unanimously got behind proposals to seriously cut food waste across member states with “ambitious” targets to halve the 88 million tons produced per year by 2030. There are a number of options on the table to help tackle the mountains of food waste throughout the supply chain, including changing the current “best before” and “use by labels” which, according to MEP Biljana Borzan (S&D, HR), can often be considered “confusing” to consumers.
It was Borzan’s report that MEPs were discussing yesterday (April 11). The report was adopted unanimously and the next steps are for it to be put to a vote by the full House during the 15-18 May plenary session in Strasbourg.
The food waste report details how food is wasted and calls on member states to achieve a 30% food waste reduction by 2025, and 50% in 2030.
On top of considering a review of food labeling, MEPs would also like to see the European Commission lift existing restriction on food donations. Borzan says how consumers need to better understand the labeling system for foodstuffs to prevent it from being thrown away due to misunderstandings about the “best before” date.
However, The Commission will have to assess the possible benefits of removing certain dates for products without any risk to public health or the environment.
When it comes to facilitating food donations, MEPs are urging the Commission to propose a change in the VAT directive that would explicitly authorize tax exemptions on food donations. The EU Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) should get the possibility to finance the cost of collecting, transporting, storing and distributing food donations, they say.
“In developed countries food is wasted mostly at the end of the chain, at distribution and consumption. Everyone has a responsibility to tackle this problem,” said MEP Borzan. “My report calls for a coordinated policy response on labeling, liability and education, as most consumers do not understand the precise meaning of “best before” and “use by” labeling,” she said.
“Moreover, we should address the shortcomings of existing EU legislation where it hinders food donations. We need to update our common VAT system to allow for tax exemptions. A form of “good Samaritan” legislation at EU level could lead to greater volumes of food being donated and reducing food being wasted, without compromising current standards of food safety,” she added.
Europe’s food waste problem has been estimated at 88 million tons or 173kg per capita per year, with the production and disposal of this food waste leading to the emission of 170 million tons of CO2 and consumes 261 million tons of resources.
According to the European Commission, the highest food waste countries are the Netherlands (541 kg per capita and per year) and Belgium (345 kg), and the lowest in Slovenia (72kg) Malta and Romania (76kg).
By Gaynor Selby
