On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste
AGRI-AD-754670
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Clara Aguilera
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The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development's opinion on the proposed directive amending the Waste Framework Directive proposes amendments to food waste reduction targets, definitions, and measures.¶¶ It supports the Commission's proposal but suggests changes: using a 2020-2022 average as baseline, applying the 30% target separately to each supply chain stage, and clarifying that certain agricultural products are not waste.¶¶¶ It also calls for measures to support farmers, reduce unfair trading practices, and promote food donation and consumer education.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, supporting its overall aim but suggesting changes to baselines, targets, and definitions.¶¶
Key points
- The opinion welcomes the proposal to set legally binding food waste reduction targets for Member States by 2030.¶
- It notes that food waste in the EU is estimated between 88 and 153.5 million tonnes per year, with costs of EUR 143 billion and around 227 million tonnes of CO2.¶
- It proposes that the 30% target be applied separately to each stage of the food supply chain to ensure fair distribution of responsibility.¶¶
- It calls for a distinction between avoidable and unavoidable food losses and for agricultural products not conforming to marketing standards to be excluded from waste definition.¶¶
- It suggests using the average of 2020-2022 as the baseline for reduction targets, given the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic.¶¶¶
- It asks the Commission to issue guidelines on food waste measurement and to facilitate exchange of best practices among Member States.¶¶¶
- It emphasizes the need to ensure stable income for farmers and to address unfair trading practices that may increase due to binding targets.¶¶
- It supports food donation and redistribution, with fiscal and administrative incentives, and prioritizes human consumption over animal feed.¶
- It calls for consumer education, including school-led interventions and training modules in primary and secondary education.¶¶¶
- It stresses that reducing food waste must not undermine agricultural production or food security, and warns against unfair competition from imports.¶
- It proposes a platform for exchange of best practices and highlights the role of consumer organizations in awareness campaigns.¶¶
Who is affected
- Member States: must implement measures to reduce food waste, with flexibility in choosing measures, and may use earlier baselines if data available.¶¶
- Farmers and agricultural producers: excluded from reduction targets, but affected by measures to ensure stable income and fair trading.¶¶
- Food business operators: subject to reduction targets in processing, retail, and food services, with attention to small and micro enterprises.¶¶
- Consumers and households: targeted by awareness campaigns and education to reduce food waste.¶¶
- Charitable organizations: may receive food donations from retailers for redistribution to people in need.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 88 to 153.5 million tonnes per year: estimated food waste in the EU.¶
- EUR 143 billion per year: associated costs of food waste.
- 227 million tonnes of CO2: emissions from food waste, about 6% of total EU emissions.
- 10%: reduction target for food waste in processing and manufacturing, per tonne of food produced.¶
- 30%: reduction target for retail, food services, and households, per capita.¶
- 2020-2022: proposed baseline period for reduction targets.¶¶
- 12 months: period for Member States to notify intention to use earlier reference year.¶