Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 challenges us to halve food waste at retail and consumer level by 2030.  In response, I have made food waste prevention a priority for my Department. In March, together with the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, I launched the Charter on Food Waste.  The objective of the charter is to galvanise support behind food waste prevention across government, business and communities.  By acknowledging the environmental and social significance of food waste and committing signatories to take at least one food prevention action within the first year of signing up, it provides a common platform for action. 

Interest in the Charter since its launch has been very positive.  Unsurprisingly, the response from individuals, households and schools has been particularly strong.  Organisations and businesses require more time in planning and agreeing their commitment to specific actions, however, the EPA is supporting this process and I look forward to many more signatories coming forward in the coming year and beyond.  Food waste prevention is a complex issue that requires long-term investment in addressing its causes. 

Other initiatives underway include additional funding towards the EPA’s ‘Stop Food Waste’ campaign which helps families save money and save waste and also my convening of an Action Group on Wasted Food in the Retail Sector.  I am pleased that most of the significant retail groups have agreed to participate.  The Group has had two meetings to date and is focusing its attention on two key food waste prevention issues, namely data collection and taking specific named actions in the retail space to impact on food waste.  All members of the Group have agreed to commit to the Charter.