The non-hearing of the bill is expected to come as a blow to Shadow Environment Secretary and Bristol West MP Kerry McCarthy, as well as many of those in the organics sector and beyond who support the idea of its aims.
First introduced to parliament by Ms McCarthy as a Private Members’ Bill in September 2015, the proposed legislation would oblige UK supermarkets to donate unsold food where redistribution charities are willing to form partnerships in a bid to reduce food waste down the supply chain (see letsrecycle.com story).
Now it seems as though the chances of making much progress within Westminster have reduced. A spokeswoman for Kerry McCarthy told letsrecycle.com this afternoon that they have applied for re-listing on the March 4th.
However, this relisting appears likely to mean the bill is less likely to be successful, because if it does come through “it will be way down the Order Paper,” said Ms McCarthy. And her office has told letsrecycle.com that Ms McCarthy has as yet received no confirmation of the 4th March date.
Re-listing
“We are keen to see this confirmed for 4th of March so that the bill doesn’t lose momentum,” said the spokeswoman, “so we have our fingers crossed.”
In the build-up to today’s reading, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) expressed support for the aims of the bill. However, it prefers a voluntary approach over a legal obligation (see letsrecycle.com story). Ms McCarthy has criticised voluntary action as “failing to deliver results.”
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