Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Committee launches an inquiry into the economic etc. impact of food waste in England.

‘In the UK, approximately 8 million tonnes of food is wasted post-manufacture, including households, retail and wholesale and hospitality/food sector. 60% of this could have been avoided. This has an annual value of approximately £16 billion a year’.

This Committee has announced that it will examine the economic, environmental and social impacts of food waste with a focus on consumers, the retail and hospitality sectors, and local government. 

In particular, the Committee will ask how far voluntary initiatives can further reduce food waste or if legislation is required in this area. The manufacturing and agriculture sectors are outside the scope of the inquiry.

The Committee is inviting written evidence. Key questions for the Food Waste inquiry are:

• What is the economic, environmental and social impact of food waste in England?
• What measures could be most effective in reducing food waste by retailers, the hospitality sector, local government, and consumers? These can include redistribution, recycling and recovery, and improved packaging and labelling.
• What proposals are necessary to further reduce food waste?
• How effective are existing voluntary initiatives in England and is there a need for legislation?
• What are the comparative approaches to reducing and managing food waste in the devolved nations, and across Europe?

Written evidence should be submitted online via the food waste inquiry page.

The Committee is asking for written submissions by Tuesday 13 September 2016.