All former foodstuffs of animal origin, such as sausage rolls and ready meals were due to be banned from landfill as of the beginning of next year, under the Animal By-Product Regulations.
Statement
But a Defra statement to interested parties yesterday explained that some former foodstuffs, which are classed as 'treated', will not be subjected to the ban. The term 'treated' refers to products and foods which have been treated or pasteurised to a point where they are no longer likely to pose a risk to human or animal health.
” The Commission's intention is that treated former foodstuffs of animal origin can continue to go to landfill in accordance with the EU Landfill Directive “
– Defra
The actual products to be classed as 'treated' have not yet been specified, however they are expected to include ready-to-eat food which would capture the vast majority of former foodstuffs including sandwiches, pastas and pizzas containing meat or fish or any other animal products.
Meeting
In the statement Defra said it had “hosted a helpful meeting” with stakeholders from the food retail and manufacturing industry to discuss the latest developments from the
Commission on the handling of former foodstuffs from 2006.
“The Commission's intention is that treated former foodstuffs of animal origin can continue to go to landfill in accordance with the EU Landfill Directive,” said the statement.
Pleased
Karrin Goodburn of the Chilled Foods Association which represents manufacturers and retailers selling chilled food said: “We have been waiting two years for this, I am very pleased with the news. It's a nice surprise. I hope it happens. Cooked and ready to eat foods do not pose any risk and there was never any scientific evidence for this.”
Raw meat and raw fish were banned from landfill under the Animal By-Product Regulations in 2003, but the food industry negotiated a ban on 'f;ormer foodstuffs' believing that there was not enough waste capacity on-line to deal with this material.
Since then the waste industry has been making plans for treatment facilities. Last week, one of the largest ABP composting facilities New Earth, based in Dorset, was given the seal of approval by the State Veterinary Service to take former foodstuffs.
However the food industry has continually pushed Defra to try and remove the ban on former foodstuffs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs actioned several points at the meeting last week, including joint work between LACORS – the co-ordinating body for local authorities – Defra and the industry, on producing a list of foods to be dropped from the ban.
The Department re-issued its “desire for joint work between the food retail and manufacturing sector, waste industry and Defra on wider waste issues to enable industry to work towards complying with waste legislation.”
Concern
Mike Walker, director of policy at the Environmental Services Association, expressed concern at the late changes to the legislation for which waste management companies had been planning for in a number of ways. “Companies that have acted in good faith could now have stranded assets,” he added.
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