EU food waste statement - please sign!

[Martin Bowman]

Dear fellow food waste researchers,

The EU is currently in the crucial final stages in its negotiations ("trilogues") to set EU food waste reduction targets, which will be legally binding for all EU member states - and we need your help. These targets will be a historic first, affecting millions of tonnes of food waste.

We're looking for food waste experts/academics to sign this joint-statement calling for more ambitious food waste targets in EU manufacturing/processing sector, via this sign up form - deadline 17^th January. The statement has already been signed by some of Europe's biggest food waste experts, including Toine Timmermans (who previously led the flagship EU food waste programmes FUSIONS and REFRESH), and WRAP. The more support we gain, the better case we can put to EU policymakers.

Further info:

The EU is currently on track to set its binding food waste targets far too low*. The targets currently proposed by the Commission and Council are for 30% reduction in household/retail/catering food waste, 10% reduction in processing/manufacturing food waste, and no targets for primary production. Civil society and experts have been calling for 50% farm to fork reductions, but unfortunately there has been fierce opposition to this. The European Parliament voted for more ambitious targets early last year (40% household/retail/catering, 20% manufacturing/processing), but since then the Parliament elections resulted in a swing to the right, which has emboldened some political opposition to the targets within the Parliament.

We believe increasing the manufacturing/processing target is our best chance to increase the targets within this challenging political context - with the strongest case for increasing ambition, and best chance of success politically.

The joint-statement outlines the extremely strong evidence that 20% reductions in manufacturing/processing are feasible, with the right policies in place. The UK has achieved a 27.4% reduction in manufacturing food waste over 10 years - and beyond this, many of the world’s largest processors and manufacturers have proved that far faster levels of reduction are possible – consistent with 30%, 40%, or even 50% reductions by 2030.

If you agree with our statement, it would really help us make the case to EU policymakers if you would sign up to support it via this sign up form - deadline 17^th January.

The Prevent Waste Coalition on food waste - consisting of Feedback, EEB, ZeroWaste Europe, SAFE and Too Good To Go - intend to share the joint-statement once published with policymakers and the media to raise pressure for more ambitious food waste targets for manufacturing/processing. You can find more info in the Prevent Waste Coalition's Policy Briefing.

 

We'd also be very grateful if you could share the statement with any other food waste experts you think would be interested in signing. We're particularly looking for academics/experts based in Europe, but also welcome global experts. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

All the best,

Martin

Feedback works for food that is good for the planet and its people.   Martin Bowman Senior Policy and Campaigns Manager T: +44 (0) 2030518633 M: +44 (0) 7816088210  http://feedbackglobal.org/ Pronouns: he/him

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