Originally from: mona parr
                        
POSSIBLE FLEXIBILITY ON FORMER FOODSTUFFS

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050606b.htm
 
Defra is today meeting with representatives from manufacturing and retail industries to discuss draft proposals from the European Commission for some flexibility over the disposal of former food of animal origin.

Measures to prohibit the use of landfill when disposing of surplus or waste food of animal origin from manufacturing and retail premises are due to take effect from 1 January 2006.

Defra has been working closely with industry in order to prepare for the forthcoming changes. In recognition that the UK would face some potential problems, Defra alerted the Commission and pressed for some flexibility.

The Commission has responded by amending draft guidance to permit Member States to determine the type of material that will be caught by the new rules. Member States may decide that certain former food has been pre-treated to such an extent that the risk to public and animal health is such that it can be considered outside the scope of the Regulations.

The implications of the proposed changes will be discussed at today's meeting.

Defra will be making clear that:

Government welcomes the Commission's intention to provide some flexibility; there remains a risk of introducing serious animal diseases if inadequately treated former food is fed to livestock or applied to land. Government will seek to ensure that adequate controls remain to deal with that risk; the work that the food industry has been doing to minimise the amount of waste it produces and to identify more sustainable outlets is welcome and it is hoped that this work will continue. Measures, such as the Landfill Tax, will continue to encourage the diversion of commercial and industrial waste, including former foodstuffs, away from landfill; and
it remains an offence to use landfill to dispose of raw meat and raw fish. To avoid the risk of introducing or spreading disease, this material must be treated in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulation.Defra will continue to work closely with interested parties and will announce any developments as and when they take place.

Notes for editors

1. The Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 prohibits the use of landfill to dispose of animal by-products (animal carcases, parts of carcases and products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption). This includes former food from food manufacturing and retail outlets.

2. The UK secured a transitional measure until 31 December 2005 to provide time for alternative outlets to be developed for this material. Defra has been holding extensive discussions with the various industry sectors and relevant organisations to help the industry prepare for the end of the transition period. However, it is apparent that small retailers will face difficulties in separating former food from other waste streams and that the quantity of packaging would create difficulties for those treating it. Defra has therefore been working with the European Commission and other member States to try to introduce some flexibility.

3. The Commission has responded by proposing that member States should be able to decide that former food that has been pre-treated need not be covered by the Regulation if they do not consider that it poses a risk to public or animal health. This is welcome but more work is needed to give legal certainty and to ensure that we do not put public or animal health at risk by removing all controls on former food. Defra will continue to work closely with interested parties.

4. There are wider sustainability issues with the disposal to landfill of commercial/industrial waste, including former foodstuffs, and the Government is using other measures such as the Landfill Tax to discourage landfill. The Landfill Tax has been increased by £3/tonne (to £18/tonne) this year and will continue to rise by at least £3/tonne each year until it reaches £35/tonne.