Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail what recent discussions he has had with food manufacturers on reducing excess packaging and increasing packaging efficiency.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department’s engagement with food manufacturers is ongoing through the implementation and delivery of the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme, which aims to reduce unnecessary and environmentally unsustainable packaging.
Food manufacturers have been involved throughout the development and implementation of pEPR, alongside producers, retailers and waste processors. The scheme went live in April 2025, following the introduction of legislation in October 2024.
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) supports businesses on projects aimed at reducing packaging materials, improving packaging efficiency and increasing the recyclability of packaging used across the food sector.
As part of this ongoing engagement, CAFRE is hosting a packaging event at Loughry Campus on 13 November 2026, where officials from DAERA and the Food Standards Agency will provide industry representatives, including food manufactures, with updates on forthcoming packaging legislation and associated regulatory requirements.
My Department will continue to engage with food manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure their views continue to inform the development and delivery of packaging policy.
ENDS
