Jim Shannon, MP Strangford, has shown his support for Kerry McCarthy MP’s Food Waste (Reduction) Bill in the Commons which will tackle the scandal of food waste.
He said: “We have committed to the UN target of halving food waste by 2030. But while consumers have already reduced their food waste by over 20% since 2007, over half of all food waste occurs before we even have a chance to buy it. Suppliers and supermarkets urgently need to take responsibility for reducing the huge amount of waste generated upstream, particularly on farms.
“The Food Waste (Reduction) Bill sets out a clear path for reducing the huge amount of food wasted before it even reaches our shopping bags, and for increasing the amount of good surplus food that is donated to charities.
Jim Shannon added: “It is a scandal that food is being wasted on such a huge scale. Supermarkets must take more responsibility for the large quantities of food waste they cause in their supply chain. We also need to reverse the current situation which can make it cheaper for companies to dispose of good food than donate it to people in need. I hope the UK can lead international efforts to halve food waste by 2030”.
Kerry McCarthy MP promoting the Bill said: “We need urgent action to tackle the scandal of wasted food. The UK is throwing away 15 million tonnes of food a year. But while consumers have reduced their food waste by over 20% since 2007, over half of all food waste occurs before we even buy it.
“Voluntary action by the industry is failing to deliver results so this legislation is essential. My Bill commits us to the UN goal of halving food waste by 2030, setting out a clear path for reducing food waste and ensuring perfectly good surplus food is donated to charities.”
