Policy document on sustainable food

Type of practice Reduce

Name of practice Policy document on sustainable food

Name of main actor Dutch Government

Type of actor(s) Public authority, Research institution

Location Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

Stage of implementation Consumption, Processing, Retail

Year of implementation 2009

What was/is being done? In 2009, the Dutch Parliament issued a policy paper (Policy Agenda for Sustainable Food Systems) identifying a number of issues that could significantly contribute to the achievement of a more sustainable food chain.

Outcomes and impacts The adopted policy, aimed at a 20 percent food waste reduction by 2015, set a number of projects directed at raising consumers awareness and promoting technologies to reduce wastage in the agro-chain production. The document also urges legislators to repeal regulations which enhance food wastage, such as expiration dates regulations, liability for food donors and use of by-products as animal feedstuff. Among the Dutch most notable initiatives, the Small Business Innovation Research instrument (part of the Impulse Programme for Sustainable Agro-chains) provides institutional support for initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing food waste. Through this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality provides grants and reimburses costs for research or training projects, feasibility studies, pilot projects, etc.