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Parliamentary question - E-005909/2012(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-005909/2012(ASW)

Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware that sound management of waste and efficient use of resources is a critical problem globally. For the ‘Rio+20’ UN Conference on Sustainable Development on 20-22 June 2012, the EU strongly promoted action in the area of resource efficiency and waste management. The conference calls for the development and enforcement of comprehensive national and local waste management policies as well as the adoption of strategies, laws and regulations. It also recognises a need to manage solid waste such as electronic waste and plastics in an environmentally sound manner and to significantly reduce food waste throughout the food supply chain.

It is essential for the long term sustainability of measures put in place to deal with the growing problem of waste management, that each country, region or municipality takes the leadership and responsibility for the development of such measures. The EU can then help partner countries by supporting their own efforts to build an appropriate regulatory and institutional environment.

The Commission is also taking specific measures to help low-income countries deal with the growing problem of management of municipal solid waste. To address this issue, six grants amounting to a total value of EUR 7 million have recently been allocated to Central America under the EU's thematic programme for developing countries on Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including Energy.

OJ C 262 E, 11/09/2013