At their plenary session on Wednesday 13 March, MEPs adopted their position for the forthcoming inter-institutional negotiations (‘trilogues’) on the revision of the directive on food and textile waste (514 votes in favour, 20 against and 91 abstentions).
MEPs will approach the trilogues with a proposal of setting binding targets for reducing food waste at national level, by the end of 2030, to at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing, compared to 10% in the Commission’s proposal to revise the framework directive (see EUROPE 13216/3).
This reduction should reach 40% per capita in the retail, catering, food services and household sectors, compared with 30% under the provisions recommended by the Commission. The Greens/EFA Group had wanted to increase this rate to 50%, but the amendment to this effect was rejected at voting time, as was the amendment tabled by The Left, which shared this ambition.
According to Parliament, the Commission should also assess the possibility of introducing higher targets for 2035, of at least 30% and 50% respectively. If the evaluation confirms this need, the Commission will be asked to present a new legislative proposal.
MEPs are also tackling the recycling of textile waste. On this point, the text provides for responsibility to be passed on to producers, who will have to bear the cost of collection, sorting and recycling. It will be up to the EU27 to put these schemes in place within 18 months of the directive coming into force. The Commission’s proposal was based on a 30-month period.
According to Parliament’s position, the new rules in this area should be extended to non-household products, carpets and mattresses and sales via online platforms. Clothing and accessories, blankets, bed linen, curtains, hats, footwear and products containing textile materials such as leather, synthetic leather, rubber or plastic would also be covered by the text.
The dossier will be in the hands of the negotiators of the Council of the EU and the European Parliament during the next term of office, due to the forthcoming European elections, which will take place from 6 to 9 June.
To see the text, go to https://aeur.eu/f/bay (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)