Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee.

I want to concentrate on an incredibly important issue when it comes to food wastage in Ireland and that is the best before date. Interestingly, neither the EPA or the Department mentioned it in their submissions. Every year, 1 million tonnes of food is thrown away and 55% of Irish people throw away food based on the best before date, which is an arbitrary data that producers place on their products. Safefood Ireland is the watchdog for food safety. It has said that there is no safety risk or health and safety reason for a best before date.

My first questions are for the EPA. What work has the agency done on the best before date? Do they think we should legislate to remove the best before date? In other countries supermarkets have taken the lead in some instances on this matter and the use of a best before date on products has been banned in other countries.

In respect of the Department, we have talked about voluntary versus mandatory requirements. The reality is that the bottom line for companies is they will be hit by getting rid of the best before date because they make more money, the more food is wasted. I believe, therefore, a voluntary option will not work and we need mandatory implementation. Does the Department believe a mandatory option is needed and has it examined the matter?