The Association of Strawberry Producers and Exporters of Huelva, Freshuelva, has applauded the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food's decision to exclude berries from the obligation of having to be sold in bulk, as contemplated in the new Decree-Law on Packaging and Packaging Waste that has been in force since the beginning of the year.
The Ministry of Agriculture complied with Freshuelva's request that berries be exempt from being marketed in bulk when sold in presentations of less than 1.5 kg because of their risk of deterioration or decline.
Freshuelva has always argued that "strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries cannot be sold in bulk because, as a result of their low consistency, doing so would produce significant losses during marketing." This same request has been transferred to the European Commission to include the same exception for berries in the European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste.
Despite the entry into force of the Royal Decree at the beginning of this year, Huelva producers continued to market their products as always throughout this campaign because they were convinced that the request to exclude berries from the bulk sale was going to be attended, as was the case.
The Royal Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste, approved by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Spain on December 27, establishes a comprehensive review of Spanish regulations in this matter, aligned with the objectives of the European Union, which will allow progress in the implementation of the circular economy and achieve the new objectives of recycling packaging by 2025 and 2030.
The text reviews in depth the regulations that were in force for more than 20 years, establishing objectives and concrete measures for packers, distribution, owners, and administrations. The main innovations of the new regulation include measures aimed at waste prevention, promoting the bulk sale of food, increasing reusable packaging, and promoting recycling and product labeling.
For more information:
Freshuelva
https://freshuelva.es