Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the Circular Economy

Overview

Food waste prevention is singled out as a priority area in the Commission’s Circular Economy Package to stimulate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy which will boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable growth and generate new jobs. The Circular Economy Package (2015) consists of a Communication outlining the EU’s Action Plan for the Circular Economy and related legislative proposals on waste.  The Commission’s proposal to revise the Waste Framework Directive introduces new measures requiring Member States to reduce food waste generation at each stage of the food supply chain, monitor food waste levels and report on progress made. The Circular Economy Package reiterates the commitment of the EU and its Member States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 which sets out a global target of halving per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030, and reducing food losses along production and supply chains. The Circular Economy Action Plans calls on the Commission to take action to  support the achievement of the SDG target on food waste and to maximise the contribution of actors in the food supply chain by:, developing a common EU methodology to measure food waste and define relevant indicators; creating a platform involving Member States and stakeholders in order to support the achievement of the SDG targets on food waste, through the sharing of best practice and the evaluation of progress made over time; taking measures to clarify EU legislation relating to waste, food and feed and facilitate food donation and the use of former foodstuffs and by-products from the food chain in feed production without compromising food and feed safety; and examining ways to improve the use of date marking by actors in the food chain and its understanding by consumers, in particular the “best before” label. Further information on the Commission’s work in food waste prevention can be found on the Commission’s dedicated Food Waste website: http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/food_waste_en The resource can be viewed in multiple EU languages – the attached document is in English, but other versions can be viewed here HERE