Overview

This bill mandates that food manufacturers in the UK label their products to show how sustainably they were produced. The goal is to help consumers make more environmentally conscious food choices.

Description

The Food Labelling (Environmental Sustainability) Bill requires the Secretary of State to create a labelling scheme for food sold in the UK. This scheme will include a kitemark to identify products with environmentally sustainable origins. The definition of "environmentally sustainable" will consider factors such as protection of endangered species habitats, biodiversity preservation, deforestation avoidance, and carbon emissions. The scheme will also outline enforcement methods and potential civil penalties for incorrect labelling. The bill requires consultation with devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) before regulations are finalized. A draft of the scheme must be presented to Parliament within a year of the Act's passing.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify the exact cost. Government spending will be incurred in developing and implementing the labelling scheme, including enforcement and potential support for businesses in meeting the new requirements. No specific figures are provided in the bill.

Groups Affected

Groups affected include:

• Food Manufacturers: They will need to adjust their labelling practices and potentially their production methods to meet the new standards, incurring costs.
• Consumers: They will benefit from clearer information to make informed choices about the environmental impact of the food they buy.
• Environmental Groups: They may see this as a positive step towards more sustainable food production.
• Devolved Administrations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland): They will be consulted on the development of the scheme and will need to ensure compliance within their jurisdictions.

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