European Year against Food Waste

2.12.2013

Question for written answer E-013588-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Nuno Teixeira (PPE) , Paulo Rangel (PPE)

— The Parliament resolution of 19 January 2012 entitled ‘How to avoid food wastage’ states that ‘a considerable amount of food is being discarded on a daily basis, despite being perfectly edible and that food waste gives rise to both environmental and ethical problems and economic and social costs, which pose internal market challenges for both business and consumers’;

— This resolution urges the Commission to create specific food waste prevention targets for Member States, to reduce waste along the entire food chain, to promote the exchange of best practices, and to define common standards for storing and cooking well-preserved food;

— Catering establishments, specifically cafés, restaurants and canteens, produce surpluses of cooked food that is in edible condition; in Portugal, food equivalent to over 18 million meals is wasted ever year simply because poor use is made of prepared food;

— European citizens now have a greater sense of solidarity and are more concerned with the need to avoid wasting food that is in good condition; however, it is necessary to continue to make the general public more aware of the importance of working together to make the best use of food, thereby helping to improve the lives of thousands of people who are experiencing financial and social difficulties;

— The next European Year should be devoted to the problem of food waste affecting most European countries and attention should be paid to the good example set by the European Year of Citizens, which enjoyed great success by cooperating closely with civil organisations in holding sessions to promote European culture and identity;

1. What steps has the Commission taken to prevent food waste in the various Member States?

2. When does the Commission intend to determine the theme of the next European Year? Is the Commission willing to make food waste one of the main subjects of debate across Europe?

OJ C 241, 24/07/2014