Solutions to food waste

14.7.2022

Question for written answer  E-002591/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE)

With Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the threats to global food security, tackling food waste at EU level is becoming an ever more urgent priority. Achieving significant results requires not only voluntary initiatives and binding targets for Member States, but also legislation to tackle the problem.

One solution is for retail chains to donate expiring food products to charities that help vulnerable groups gain access to food. As food becomes more expensive, more and more people are turning to these organisations for help.

I would therefore ask the Commission:

• 1.Is it not considering the possibility of making it compulsory for retail chains to give food to charities? If such steps are not being considered, why not?
• 2.Is there any plan to introduce financial incentives to ensure that more expiring food products are handed over to charities?