Press release
Minister McConalogue issues call for Food Waste reduction ideas
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has issued a call for proposals for Food Waste Reduction Initiatives.
Minister McConalogue said:
“Tackling food waste is one the most effective solutions in tackling our global climate targets. It is good for the environment and good for the pocket. The call for proposals, which comes under the 2023 Rural Innovation and Development Fund, relates to the provision of services for the support of food waste reduction projects which are designed to reduce food waste generated by primary producers and food businesses in rural areas. This scheme aims to identify, target and address what is a major issue not just here in Ireland but globally. Ireland generates over 1 million tonnes of food waste each year. We simply must address this.“
The Minister added:
“This call for proposals also helps to address the Rural Innovation and Development Fund’s overall objective to energise the rural economy by encouraging innovative job creation and sustainable enterprise development. The funding provided under this initiative aligns with many of the goals in my department’s ambitious strategy for the agri-food sector Food Vision 2030. It is more important than ever that we support and promote these important initiatives.”
Total funding of €180,000 is available for proposals relating to the promotion and/or development of innovative food waste reduction projects which are designed to reduce food waste generated in rural areas. Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Funding in 2022 was made available to the following successful projects:
Further information in relation to this initiative along with the application form is available here: Food Waste Reduction Scheme
The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on 23 March 2023.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is the lead government department in developing Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap, and in the coordination and review of its implementation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the lead government department for UN SDG12.3. Both departments are committed to working closely together to pursue ambitious food loss and food waste reductions that contribute effectively to the implementation of the roadmap.
The National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 includes:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will play a key operational role in driving implementation of key actions in the roadmap, particularly in the context of their continued responsibility in delivering Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Programme and annual reporting on Ireland’s national food waste statistics.