Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action to discuss Circular Economy relating to food sector

The meeting at 11am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions to hear from representatives from:

11am – Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency;

12:30pm – FoodCloud, Food Drink Ireland and Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CircBio).

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Leddin said: “Ireland’s food sector plays a key role in our economy, generating income of nearly €30 billion and supporting more than 160,000 jobs. But it also generates considerable waste, both in terms of packaging and food waste, with 800,000 tonnes of food wasted annually here.

“Food waste contributes around 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and negatively impacts the environment, water quality and biodiversity. It is important that we understand where food wastage is happening so that targets can be achieved to prevent this.

“In line with the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and the Government’s Circular Economy Strategy, the Committee looks forward to discussing with our stakeholders how Ireland can create a Circular Economy in relation to the food sector to halve the level of food waste by 2030.”

The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.