This conference will focus on latest developments and next steps for food waste, looking at policy, regulation and industry practice.

Stakeholders and policymakers will discuss implications of WRAP’s refresh of its Food Waste Reduction Roadmap – due to come into force in February 2023 – aimed at accelerating the drive for meeting 2030 targets.

It will be an opportunity to examine issues around implementation of weekly separate food waste collections, including the infrastructure required and contractual challenges, waste management strategies and managing increased demand for treatment such as anaerobic digestion, and building public engagement and awareness.

Delegates will also assess the future for food waste reporting as Defra considers responses to its consultation held last year on possible changes, including the range of businesses and material that are affected, procedures, and issues of cost, impact and enforcement.

They will consider approaches for improving transparency and accountability, how reporting can work effectively across different sectors, and what a possible legislative and regulatory approach could look like if mandatory reporting comes into place.

The Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Dawn Woodward, Deputy Head Resources and Waste, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Helen Bird, Head of Business Collaboration, WRAP; and Dr Laura Green, Senior Climate and Sustainability Consultant, ADAS.

Overall, areas for discussion:

• policy and prevention programmes: meeting targets and putting in place effective programmes – progress so far – priorities going forward
• consumer behaviour: public awareness of new schemes – the impact of cost of living challenges and environmental concerns on food waste initiatives
• food waste collections: managing separate collections and treatment – assessing the contractual implications, infrastructure and local waste management strategies required for implementation
• waste management: options for managing increased food waste – tackling challenges with contamination and the increased use and accessibility of anaerobic digestion treatment plants
• extended producer responsibility: latest thinking on developments in packaging design – support for food producers delivering change – increased end product cost issues
• agriculture: assessing food waste prevention options and methods for measuring and reporting
• large food companies: improving reporting programmes, accountability and transparency – practicalities for implementation across different sector stakeholders

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from BEIS; DAERA; Defra; DIT; FSS; FCDO; NICS; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.