Speaking at a conference on sustainable food and bio waste management in his native Malta this morning (31 May), the Commissioner described reducing food waste as ‘the most effective way’ of reducing pressure on the environment.
Mr Vella added that measures to tackle food waste had been set out within the Circular Economy Package, which was put forward by the Commission in December, and is currently being scrutinised by MEPs within the European Parliament.
It is expected that agreement on the package, which includes updates to legislation through the Waste Framework, Landfill, and Packaging and Packaging Waste Directives, will be agreed by the end of 2016.
Measures outlined in the Package include steps for Member States to reduce food waste, stricter monitoring requirements and requirements for regular reporting on progress, while proposals also included a plan to implement separate collections of bio-waste, where it is practicable.
Should the UK opt to remain in the EU beyond the referendum on 23 June it is likely that these measures will have to be enshrined in UK law.
Harmonise
Today, the Commissioner also noted that the Commissioner is looking to harmonise the way that food waste is counted by Member States.
He said: “The Commission will be proposing a common EU methodology to measure food waste. We need a solid evidence base before we start sharing best practices. Better measurement will improve our understanding of where these losses occur, and how.
“We’ll be setting up a new platform, which will make it easier to cooperate on these questions and share results. And it will help us target EU action more carefully, to ensure that it’s effective.”
Commissioner Vella also added that the EU will seek to make it easier to divert edible food waste into applications such as animal feed and for redistribution by charities.
He added: “We’ll be looking at the barriers to reuse, and checking any institutional reasons that might be holding it back. That will cover animal feed as well as food. We’re also thinking about clearer guidelines for food donations, and clarifying the safety and hygiene requirements, and the fiscal implications.”
Reporting
The Commissioner’s comments come shortly after it was revealed that Member States will be subject to frequent reporting on the implementation of environmental legislation, particularly in relation to specific pieces of legislation around waste and the circular economy.
In a communication published on Friday (27 May) the Commission revealed that ‘Environmental Implementation Reviews’ will be delivered every two years and will highlight the main challenges and successes of Member States in implementing EU environmental law.
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