EFE
supported by 800,000 signatures throughout Europe campaign calls on the EU directive for supermarkets donate food in good condition NGOs.
its aim is to present a million signatures to the Commission and the European Parliament.
“We want the Commission to discuss and adopt a legislative framework, then each member State must apply,” says the head of the campaign in Spain
According to the European Commission, the EU generates 89 million tons of food waste per year.. of which 7.7 million are Spain
Why Spanish much food they throw it away?
Almost 800,000 Europeans have already supported campaign that calls for EU directive to supermarkets not throw food in good condition , but that donate to NGOs. But in Spain, according to the employers ACES, no regulation is needed, because the sector is very efficient and works with those entities.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), citing French law, has asked the Government “regulation that effectively curb food waste” and obliging establishments to give the surplus that is suitable for consumption. In Italy, a newly passed law encourages donation.
The Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL) emphasizes, as all parties involved that food security is indispensable . And ask clearly determine who would be responsible if any donated product was not suitable.
That call European unit to stop the “waste” food is developed on the platform Change.org from 2015 by citizens of Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain.
they want to present one million signatures on the Commission and the European Parliament, because they ensure that more than 80 million people live below the poverty line in Europe while supermarkets thrown away “tons” of food.
the head of the campaign in France, Arash Derambarsh (councilman Courbevoie), was the one who initiated the petition to the law regulating this issue in that country.
the European Parliament demanded in 2012 urgent measures to reduce waste half 2025. According to the European Commission, the EU generated 89 million tons of food waste per year (7.7 million in Spain).
in European households, waste represented 42 % of the total; in manufacturing, 39%; in restoration, 14%; and distribution, 5%.
According to Agriculture, Spanish households thrown away every week 25.5 million kilos of food (4.5% of purchase). “We want the Commission discuss and approve a legislative framework , then all Member States must apply,” says the head of the European campaign in Spain, Manuel Abrupt. He is in favor of encouraging and facilitating the donation, but marking “minimum” fulfillments.
Europe has to point “standards and guidelines” , without “demonizing anyone” because the waste has varied causes and all are responsible, also consumers.
the solution is to have all , as industry and sector of the food distribution are relevant, recognized. To begin with, Abrupt “transparency” demand on the food that is thrown because the distribution disseminates data “part” he says.
Distributors and manufacturers
But the president of the Association of Supermarket chains (ACES), Aurelio del Pino, denies lack of objective information and alludes to industry reports, the Ministry of Agriculture and businesses.
the Spanish distribution it is “very efficient and competitive” indicates, the link with “less” waste throughout the food chain. Moreover, he adds, the Spanish social fabric is “well developed” a dense network of NGOs that work well. “All companies, at least those of my association, have agreements and work for many years with food banks and charities,” he says.
The sector is gone ” self-regulate “, analyzing situations redressing inefficiencies, disseminating best practices for businesses and consumers, working with industry and catering.
” We think that in Spain, is not necessary (introduce regulation) he insists, because we have long been working on this. we are aware, knowledge is very broad, and the goal is achieved. “
other initiatives , Del Pino cites the project Association of Consumer Goods (Aecoc) ‘the power is not wasted, take it’ (2012) and strategy “More food, less waste”, the Ministry of Agriculture (undertaken in 2013).
Sources ministry of Agriculture explained that, after completing the term of this strategy, “is currently working with all organizations involved in it, in the revision of its contents , in order to incorporate the commitments and goals to be agreed “, which must be carried out” at the beginning of this legislature. “
in March, the OCU began a collecting signatures to spoil food is prohibited intentionally making them unusable. Also required dates of preferential consumption and expiration according to criteria of quality and safety, not economic interests.
The Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL), which has agreements with supermarkets and food chains calls meet any regulatory project to rule. Sources of this federation have warned against the so-called laws “Good Samaritan” , which relieve the donor of responsibility on the state of the products if they were given “good faith”.