We can transform the world economic
crisis into an opportunity to fight food waste, said the Minister of
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Nicos Kouyialis, at the
works of the 29th FAO Regional Conference for Europe, held in
Bucharest, Romania, on 3 and 4 April.
In his address at the ministerial
discussion, Mr Kouyialis mentioned that food waste is extended to such a degree
that the problem of food losses has become a worldwide one affecting all parts
that comprise the food chain; from the fields to the consumer. He also added
that one billion people in the world are malnourished, while at the same time,
according to FAO it is estimated that 1,3 billion tons of food is lost or
thrown as waste annually all over the world. This amount of waste is four times
more than the quantity of food needed to eliminate malnutrition, he said and
pointed out that the greenhouse gases released from food waste are expected to
rise by 40% in the EU by 2020, whilst the population and available income are
becoming overall higher, without having a specific policy.
Mr Kouyialis suggested that focus should
be on two areas in order to deal with this challenge; on the prevention and on
the rational use of food surpluses by promoting appropriate actions such as, the
improvement of harvesting techniques, of the farmers’ training, of the storage and
refrigeration facilities, of the industrial conservation of products, as well
as of the communication and collaboration amongst all the involved parties.
Also, this can be achieved through the promotion of local products, the
activation of agricultural programs, the reinforcement of Alternative Energy
Resources, and through supporting and motivating governments and all involved
parties so that they re-examine their policies and actions towards these
directions.
During the Conference, the Minister had meetings
with the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr Victor-Viorel Ponta, the Vice President
and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania, Mr Daniel
Constantin, as well as with the EU Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Mr Dacian Cioloş. He also had a bilateral meeting with the
Director-General of FAO, Mr José Graziano da Silva.
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