FPA Environment Seminar

Parliamentary under secretary and government spokesperson for DEFRA Lord Taylor of Holbeach recently addressed the annual Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) Environment Seminar – affirming the positive relationship between the government, the Association and the industry.

During his speech, Lord Taylor called for a greater level of partnership between the government and the FPA. “The government understands the importance of packaging and recognises the need for it. The conflict between reducing food waste and meeting packaging targets needs to be addressed; with recycling packaging top of the agenda. We will be looking to the FPA to help us achieve our ambitions for recycling and reducing food waste in the UK by continuing their positive work.”

Neil Whittall, chairman for the FPA, comments: “As an organisation we are delighted that the government is willing to listen to the positive messages coming from the FPA – it’s a big step forward and we’ve come a long way in the past two years. We need to accept that we all have social and environmental responsibilities and, despite our complex supply chain, we can work together to help meet recycling targets. Improvement and investment in recycling infrastructure will be key to making this happen and in return we ask the government to unify waste strategy across the country. The packaging industry now recognises the need to listen to the government and organisations like WRAP are helping to facilitate that conversation.

“New technology will drive future growth but this will require significant investment and a government incentive for this investment would be welcomed by many UK organisations.”

Over 150 FPA members also heard from John Williams at the NNFCC, Richard Swannell from WRAP and Dick Searle from the Packaging Federation. A lively panel discussion followed speaker presentations.

The event was live tweeted and packaging professionals around the world joined the discussion. A full report will be available from Monday on the FPA LinkedIn page – members of the group are invited to take part in a discussion based on the report from 12.30-1.30pm.

For more information about the work of the FPA visit www.foodservicepackaging.org.uk