Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
115. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the plan of the Minister with responsibility for climate action, communication networks and transport to introduce tariffs on two-for-one offers in grocery stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/20]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment launched the Waste Action Plan for A Circular Economy – Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020 – 2025 on 4 September.
I understand that the Plan does not suggest the levying of tariffs on the sale of multi-buy packs. It does however include a commitment to "work with retailers to end the sale of multi-buy packs to prevent over-buying by consumers”.
It is my understanding also that all policies deriving from the Action Plan will be carefully calibrated to protect low-income households and applied only where sustainable alternatives are available and affordable.
The plan will help deliver the Government’s ambition around food waste through a Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. This will involve consultation and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from both industry and consumer interest groups.
My Department will work closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to develop this road map, which will supplement the work already being done in my Department and its agencies with regard to food waste and in regard to the Farm2Fork commitment to reduce Food Waste.
This work includes
- funding through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund to support innovative rural projects aimed at food waste reduction by organisations such as Food Cloud, and the Clean Technology Centre at the Cork Institue of Technology;
- support for research into food shelf life and related issues through the Prepared Consumer Food Centre at Teagasc Ashtown, which is funded by my Department;
- as well as initiatives by Bord Bia under Origin Green to encourage food businesses to set targets to reduce food waste and other sustainability issues.
