Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and Simon Hart

Thursday 21st February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

1. What recent steps he has taken to reduce the volume of food waste.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

The Government recently launched their resources and waste strategy, which outlines a new approach to addressing food waste. Actions include consulting on introducing regulations to make transparent reporting mandatory for businesses of an appropriate size, and the appointment of Mr Ben Elliot as the food surplus and waste champion to support our strategy.

[Simon Hart]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be aware that some confusion is caused by disingenuous labelling with “use by” and “best before”, including in one example, on a packet of salt. What progress are the Government making in sorting out this nonsense?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend is right to point out that there can be confusion as a result of labelling. There has been leadership from the very top of the Government in pointing out that, when it comes to salt or jam, it is perfectly possible to consume healthy and nutritious food uninhibited by some of the nannying regulations and pointless bureaucracy of the past, and to eliminate waste.