The fee that stores pay for wasted food will increase from 10 to 50 groszy per kilogram, according to a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture. The draft regulations also include severe penalties for failure to pay such a fee and failure to conduct educational and information campaigns.
On Monday, the list included information on work on a draft amendment to the Act on Combating Food Wastage, authored by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As explained, the aim of the amendment is, among other things, to reduce food waste and increasing the transfer of food by sellers to non-governmental organizations that deal with its redistribution. The new law is also intended to eliminate interpretational doubts.
Food waste – the government is preparing changes
As stated in the list, the proposed amendment is to clarify the definition of “food waste” so that it reflects the assumption that “until food becomes waste, actions should be taken to prevent its waste”. “Waste includes not only actions that result in food being wasted, but also omissions that lead to its expiration date” – it was indicated.
The definition of “food sellers” is also to be clarified. “The new definition covers retail units (including individual stores). The proposed regulation covers all chain outlets with the provisions of the agreement on the free transfer of food, which will contribute to a greater amount of food transferred. The criterion concerning sales revenue (50 percent) has been removed,” it was explained.
The planned amendment will also raise the fee for wasted food from PLN 0.1/kg to PLN 0.5/kg. A maximum deduction from the fee is also to be introduced, i.e. the sum of campaign costs and transport and distribution costs up to a maximum of 20 percent of the fee.
Higher fines for shops
As reported, the new regulations are also to be introduced a fine of PLN 5,000 for failure to implement educational and information campaigns.
The bill also increases the penalties for failure to pay the fee, paying in part or not paying it on time. Currently, it is from PLN 500 to PLN 10,000; after the change, it is to be from PLN 5,000 to PLN 15,000. According to the new regulations, a deadline is to be introduced for shops to sign an agreement with a non-governmental organization (by December 31 for the next calendar year).
In 2019, the provisions of the Act on Combating Food Waste were passed. Stores over 250 square meters, half of whose revenues come from selling food, are required to conclude agreements with non-governmental organizations for the free transfer of unsold food.
This primarily concerns products that have been withdrawn from sale due to defects in their appearance or packaging. They are also required to conduct information and education campaigns with non-governmental organizations, as well as submit reports on the amount of food wasted.