Question for Short Debate: Food Waste
On Thursday 6th November, Baroness Scott, Chairperson of the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy, asked the Government what is their response to the Report of the European Union Committee on Counting the Cost of Food Waste: EU Food Waste Prevention.
Lord Trees joined this EU Sub-Committee late in the last session and is the only veterinarian sitting on the committee. In his speech he praised the report as valuable and timely and championed the idea of effective menu-planning as a strategy for individuals to reduce their food waste. He concluded by asking the Minister what other measures by way of public information, education and encouragement the Government have in progress to promote menu planning in our society.
Lord De Mauley responded to Lord Trees as follows:
“The noble Lord, Lord Trees, asked about publicising Love Food Hate Waste. Information on choosing, cooking and eating a healthy diet is provided via NHS Choices, including the Change4Life social marketing campaign and guidance on healthier and more sustainable catering. The “eatwell plate” displays the proportions and types of foods that should be eaten as part of a healthy lifestyle. The Government’s Change4Life programme provides tools and resources that incentivise and encourage behaviour change; for example, the Meal Mixer app has been downloaded more than 1 million times and contains hundreds of quick, healthy and affordable family recipes.”
– HOL Hansard, 6 Nov 2014 : Columns 1849-1850
In his conclusion Lord De Mauley said:
“The committee’s report included a recommendation on the need to work with WRAP to deliver a whole-supply-chain approach. I agree that there is a need for policy and action to evolve to tackle food waste across the whole value chain and I recognise the close relationship between food waste, food security and sustainability. That is why we have been working closely with WRAP in its development of proposals for an initiative that looks at how the food we produce and eat can be more sustainable and secure and where waste can be further reduced. This is more than a mere successor to Courtauld 3 but it will continue and expand that work, and put the onus on industry to take greater ownership. This project should influence global supply chains and could therefore have an impact in the EU and beyond.”
– HOL Hansard, 6 Nov 2014 : Column 1850
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