– Increasing the fee for wasted food is a counterproductive measure that is probably aimed at destroying entrepreneurship, especially small and medium-sized businesses. Let us emphasize that no one supports wasting food. However, actions aimed at counteracting food waste must be taken with common sense – believes Maciej Ptaszyński.
New reporting obligations for those who start work at 5 a.m.
– For years we have been saying to reduce the number of reporting obligations, and despite our appeals, each successive government adds new ones. Entrepreneurs get up at five in the morning and go to wholesalers. They run a shop all day, then they have to make money, they have CIT, VAT and waste reports on their minds. The deposit system will soon start operating, which will require a lot of additional work from them. Retailers are subject to a whole host of inspections, and they also have to deal with unclear regulations, e.g. related to the Omnibus directive. They add issues such as excise duty increases on all possible products. Finally, as the cherry on the cake, they add reporting obligations related to wasting or not wasting food. It is simply reprehensible – Maciej Ptaszyński is outraged.
Another doubt is raised by the obligation of an educational and information campaign. Who will pay for it? Retailers? Are the stores earning too much that they need to be made unprofitable – asks the president of PIH eloquently.
Ministry in favour of new fees for wasted food
The aim of the amendment is to reduce food waste and increase the transfer of food from sellers to non-governmental organizations that deal with its redistribution. The amendment is also to clarify the definition of "food waste" so that it reflects the assumption that "until food becomes waste, actions should be taken to prevent its waste". "Waste includes not only actions that result in food being wasted, but also omissions that led to its expiration" – it was indicated.
"The new definition covers retail units (including individual stores). The proposed regulation covers all chain outlets with the provisions of the agreement on the free transfer of food, which will contribute to a greater amount of food transferred. The criterion regarding sales revenues (50%) has been removed," it was explained.
Penalties, penalties, more penalties
As reported, the new regulations are also to introduce penalties for failure to implement educational and information campaigns in the amount of PLN 5,000. A maximum deduction from the fee is also to be introduced, i.e. the sum of campaign costs and transport and distribution costs up to a maximum of 20 percent of the fee.
The bill also increases the penalties for failure to pay the fee, paying in part or not paying it on time. Currently, it is from PLN 500 to PLN 10,000; after the change, it is to be from PLN 5,000 to PLN 15,000. According to the new regulations, a deadline is to be introduced for shops to sign an agreement with a non-governmental organization (by December 31 for the next calendar year).
In 2019, the provisions of the act on combating food waste were passed. Stores over 250 square meters, half of whose revenue comes from food sales, are required, among other things, to conclude agreements with non-governmental organizations for the free transfer of unsold food. This primarily concerns products that have been withdrawn from sale due to defects in their appearance or packaging. They are also required to conduct information and education campaigns together with non-governmental organizations, as well as to submit reports on the amount of food wasted.
