New horizon for the Strategy “More food, less waste”
Post: Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition
Date: 18 diciembre 2017
Section: Agencia Española de Consumo, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición
The new stage of the Strategy “More food, less waste” for 2017 - 2020 was presented yesterday at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment (MAPAMA).
According to the latest estimates, a third of the global food production, equivalent to 1300 million tonnes, is wasted. This situation has significant economic, social and environmental repercussions, as food losses and waste represent a cost for the global economy of almost one billion dollars per year and exacerbate food insecurity and malnutrition. It is estimated that, with only a quarter of the food that is lost or wasted, it would be possible to feed the population who go hungry in the world.
In this area, Spain is the seventh Member State which wastes most food in absolute figures at 7.7 Million tonnes per year, equivalent to a cost of 3000 million Euros per annum.
This problem inspired MAPAMA to set up the Strategy “More food, less waste” in 2013, working, together with many businesses and organisations, including the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition, in the development of a large number of initiatives which are producing results.
Most of the objectives set in the initial document have been met. In particular, the generation of knowledge, the circulation and promotion of good practices and collaboration with other stakeholders.
The Strategy was the object of review for its application in the 2017 – 2020 period, with eight areas of action intended to cover all the aspects necessary to address the problem of food waste.
It highlights the need to continue quantifying food waste, in all the links of the food chain, as the first element for establishing measures, and to step up training and awareness, research and innovation work.
With respect to this new period, it is essential to continue with the collaboration of entities, associations, businesses, producers and consumers.
During the presentation, the Minister emphasised the important relation existing between food waste and the environment and climate change, included in the Strategy. She recalled that a Law on climate change and energy transition is being drafted and which will permit the Spanish economy a low emissions development. A process in which the Strategy will be an efficient instrument of support.
The Minister concluded by stressing the illusion of continuing to advance in the Strategy “More food, less waste”, which is linked to the sustainability policies and is in line with Community and global initiatives in favour of sustainability and development, under the measures of the Circular Economy Package and for compliance of the Sustainable Development Objectives.