'Green Card' on food waste gains support

• Green Card on Food Waste
• Report: Cutting the Cost of Food Waste (PDF)
• European Union Committee

Food waste: the issue

It has been estimated that 89 million tonnes of food are wasted each year in the EU, a figure which could rise to approximately 126 million tonnes by 2020 if no action is taken. The Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee addressed the issue in its 2014 report on Counting the Cost of Food Waste. The Green Card invites the European Commission, when tabling a new circular economy package in the coming months, to adopt a strategic approach to the reduction of food waste within the EU.

More support for the Green Card

The Green Card was originally endorsed by chairs of committees in 16 out of the 41 national parliaments and chambers of the EU, who co-signed the letter sent to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.

On 27 August the Committee was notified that on 12 August the Czech Senate had formally adopted a Resolution endorsing the Green Card, and that the President of the Senate, Mr Milan Štěch, had written to President Juncker to this effect on 26 August.

On 10 September Ms Mette Gjerskov, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament, the Folketinget, wrote to the Chairman of the EU Committee, Lord Boswell, informing him that her Committee had agreed to support the Green Card.

This brings the total number of signatories to 18, out of the 41 national parliaments and chambers of the EU.

• Resolution of the Senate of the Czech Republic (courtesy translation)
• Letter from the President of the Czech Senate to the President of the European Commission (courtesy translation)
• Letter form the Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Danish Folketinget to the Chairman of the European Union Committee

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Select committees

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