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13/03/2012
New Bill Calls For Supermarkets To Donate Spare Food.
Under proposals for a bill drawn up by a Labour MP supermarkets and manufacturers would be forced by law to donate their surplus food to charities in order to reduce the "scandalous" amount of food wasted in the UK.
Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, has brought the food waste bill forward using parliaments 10-minute rule, which allows MPs to introduce private members' bills.
The bill has received cross-party support and will receive its first reading in the Commons on Wednesday, following a parliamentary launch event. Although the bill stands little chance of getting onto the statute book, its supporters believe it will help draw attention to an issue of growing environmental concern.
McCarthy said that up to 50% of edible and healthy food is routinely wasted across the European Union – a figure that would rise across the EU if something is not done. She added: "The amount of food wasted in the UK is a scandal. By creating a surplus of – uneaten – food, the global food industry is adding pressure on scarce land and resources, contributing to deforestation, needlessly adding to global greenhouse gas emissions and helping to drive up global food prices."
A major hurdle to such a bill is the risk of liability for food donors. Because of this McCarthy is also calling for a UK equivalent of the US Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which exempts from prosecution any food banks and donors who donate surplus food in good faith, if the food turns out to have caused food poisoning, for example.
Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, added: "Food waste is not only an environmental concern but a social problem too. It is morally right that large retailers should make available food that would be dumped anyway to those most in need or struggling. This proposed legislation is timely and right."
Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, has brought the food waste bill forward using parliaments 10-minute rule, which allows MPs to introduce private members' bills.
The bill has received cross-party support and will receive its first reading in the Commons on Wednesday, following a parliamentary launch event. Although the bill stands little chance of getting onto the statute book, its supporters believe it will help draw attention to an issue of growing environmental concern.
McCarthy said that up to 50% of edible and healthy food is routinely wasted across the European Union – a figure that would rise across the EU if something is not done. She added: "The amount of food wasted in the UK is a scandal. By creating a surplus of – uneaten – food, the global food industry is adding pressure on scarce land and resources, contributing to deforestation, needlessly adding to global greenhouse gas emissions and helping to drive up global food prices."
A major hurdle to such a bill is the risk of liability for food donors. Because of this McCarthy is also calling for a UK equivalent of the US Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which exempts from prosecution any food banks and donors who donate surplus food in good faith, if the food turns out to have caused food poisoning, for example.
Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, added: "Food waste is not only an environmental concern but a social problem too. It is morally right that large retailers should make available food that would be dumped anyway to those most in need or struggling. This proposed legislation is timely and right."
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28 March 2008
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
18 April 2008
Calls For Tougher Junk Food Advertising Laws
More than eighty percent of adults believe junk food advertising can make it difficult to feed children healthy food, a new survey has claimed. Consumer watchdog Which? Found 83% of consumers surveyed wanted the government to become more involved in controlling the marketing of unhealthy food to children. In total 2,000 people were questioned.
Calls For Tougher Junk Food Advertising Laws
More than eighty percent of adults believe junk food advertising can make it difficult to feed children healthy food, a new survey has claimed. Consumer watchdog Which? Found 83% of consumers surveyed wanted the government to become more involved in controlling the marketing of unhealthy food to children. In total 2,000 people were questioned.
25 October 2004
Tourists warned of risks of bringing food into the UK
The risks and controls prohibiting people bringing food into the UK from EU countries have been highlighted today as part of a public awareness campaign launched today. The current rules mean that it is illegal to bring meat and milk-based products for personal use back into the UK from outside the EU.
Tourists warned of risks of bringing food into the UK
The risks and controls prohibiting people bringing food into the UK from EU countries have been highlighted today as part of a public awareness campaign launched today. The current rules mean that it is illegal to bring meat and milk-based products for personal use back into the UK from outside the EU.
29 October 2003
New proposals set to curb fast-food littering
Fast-food outlets and customers will be encouraged to clean up their act under voluntary proposals published today by the government.
New proposals set to curb fast-food littering
Fast-food outlets and customers will be encouraged to clean up their act under voluntary proposals published today by the government.
06 October 2008
New Council of Food Policy Advisors Announced
The establishment of a new team of advisers on food policy from 'the farm to the fork' has been announced today by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
New Council of Food Policy Advisors Announced
The establishment of a new team of advisers on food policy from 'the farm to the fork' has been announced today by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
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