EU Parliament adopts its negotiating position on the updated Waste Framework Directive

By: Berta Redondo

From: Europatat (European Potato Trade Association)

On Wednesday 13 March, the European Parliament adopted its proposals to better prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU. Members of the European Parliament adopted their first reading position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework with 514 votes in favour, 20 against and 91 abstentions.

Regarding food waste, the Parliament proposes:

• Higher binding reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030: at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%). These targets should be reviewed by the Commission by 31 December 2027.
  • Commission to evaluate if higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively) should be introduced, and if so, asks them to come up with a legislative proposal.
  • Targeted solutions to reduce food waste, such as: promoting “ugly” fruits and veggies and keeping an eye on unfair market practices; encouraging intelligent packaging intended to extend the shelf-life or to maintain or improve the condition of packaged food especially during transportation and storage and clearer date and facilitating donating unsold-but-consumable food.
  • Commission to conduct an assessment by 31 December 2025 on the appropriate levels for the setting of targets for the reduction of all primary production food waste, including mature food left unharvested or used on farms. To that end, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal.

Next steps: Given the European elections in June 2024, the negotiation between the 3 institutions (the so-called trilogues) will start under the lead of the new elected European Parliament.

Read more information here.