The UK government’s decision to cancel new food waste legislation has sparked controversy. This proposed policy aimed to make food waste reporting mandatory for large businesses, which might have reduced food prices and addressed climate change. Critics argue the move is short-sighted.
- The proposed legislation would have necessitated mandatory food waste reporting for large and medium-sized enterprises.
- Feedback, an environmental group, estimated a 1% reduction in food waste could save businesses £24.4m annually.
- The government argues the legislation could worsen food inflation by imposing costs on businesses.
- Critics emphasize the potential environmental and economic benefits of reducing food waste.
In a move that has drawn widespread criticism, the UK government has reversed plans to implement new legislation that would have made food waste reporting mandatory for sizeable businesses in England. This decision has been met with disappointment from environmental groups and campaigners, who believe the policy could have played a significant role in reducing food prices and mitigating climate change.
The campaign group Feedback has highlighted the financial advantages of such a reduction in food waste. According to their research, even a modest 1% decrease in food waste could result in a collective saving of over £24.4 million annually for food businesses. This potential for savings, advocates argue, contrasts sharply with the government’s rationale for scrapping the plan.
The government, through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), defends its decision by pointing out the financial burden that mandatory food waste reporting would place on businesses, estimating the regulatory costs to be approximately £5.3 million. Officials suggest that these increased operational costs might ultimately lead to higher prices for consumers, exacerbating food inflation.
Despite these concerns, Defra has articulated a commitment to addressing food waste through alternative means. They propose expanding the efforts of Wrap, a government-funded waste charity, to encourage businesses to voluntarily report their waste management practices. However, Wrap has expressed their concerns over the feasibility and effectiveness of voluntary reporting, observing that it would likely incur higher costs than the proposed mandatory approach.
Martin Bowman, a senior figure at Feedback, criticized the government’s decision, noting the plan’s potential as an ‘immediately achievable goal’ that would outweigh the costs of its implementation, leading to substantial savings and helping to reduce food inflation.
The cancellation has also been decried by Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go. He remarked on the significant contribution of food waste to global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing even those from the aviation sector. Crummie highlighted the urgency of the situation, as evidenced by the stark effects of climate change witnessed across Europe. Too Good To Go has called on Defra to reconsider its stance on mandatory food waste reporting before the end of 2026.
The decision to cancel the food waste legislation has been criticized for overlooking its potential economic savings and environmental benefits.
