Efforts to tackle food waste and improve recycling quality were among the issues raised by ministers at a British-Irish Council Environmental Ministerial conference in Guernsey on Friday (7 November).
Defra minister Thérèse Coffey chaired the meeting, which was attended by Roseanna Cunningham, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform, Lesley Griffiths, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Environment, and Seán Kyne, Ireland’s Minister of State for Natural Resources.
Ministers from the British and Irish governments and crown dependencies gathered in Guernsey on Friday (4 November)
Also in attendance were Alastair Ross and Megan Fearon, junior ministers from Northern Ireland’s Executive Office, Deputy Barry Brehaut, President of Guernsey’s Committee for Environment, Jersey’s Minister for Environment Stephen Luce, and the Isle of Man’s Minister for Environment Geoffrey Boot.
The Council promotes joint working between the UK’s governments, devolved administrations and crown dependencies – and last week’s meeting was the 14th meeting of the environment ministers.
Reduction
Issues around the prevention of food waste and improving the quality and quantity of recyclables were high on the agenda, with Dr Coffey having highlighted the work of the voluntary Courtauld Commitment to promote waste reduction in the grocery sector.
Commenting following the meeting, Dr Coffey said: “Everyone has their part to play to protect our environment, which is why it is so important that we continue to work together with partners across the UK and our closest neighbours to tackle these issues.
“We highlighted some of the exciting work being carried out across the UK and Ireland, like the UK’s Courtauld 2025 commitment to reduce food waste by 20% by 2025, and the progress made dramatically increasing UK recycling rates from less than 13,000 tonnes in 2000 to over 330,000 tonnes in 2015.”
Thérèse Coffey
Defra Minister
“It is vital for our shared environment and our economies that we make the most of our resources, but we know there is more to do and the Council shows how we are working together to further increase recycling and reduce food waste.”
Courtauld
She added: “We highlighted some of the exciting work being carried out across the UK and Ireland, like the UK’s Courtauld 2025 commitment to reduce food waste by 20% by 2025, and the progress made dramatically increasing UK recycling rates from less than 13,000 tonnes in 2000 to over 330,000 tonnes in 2015.
“Co-operation through forums like the British Irish Council means we can develop solutions that are right for each area, working closely with the waste and recycling industry and partners, to accomplish our shared goal of making the best use of our resources.”
Deputy Brehaut, the host of the meeting, added: “I am delighted that we have been able to host this Ministerial meeting here in Guernsey, focussing on environmental issues which have such resonance to us in Guernsey – addressing the problem of food waste and the quantity and quality of recycling.
“The British-Irish Council plays an important role in our relationship with the governments and administrations of the British Isles and Ireland, and as demonstrated again today, the Council provides excellent opportunities to share expertise, best practice, resources and ideas.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
