The GO PDApp Operational Group has held its launch meeting today, after several months of preparatory work. The GO PDApp faces one of the main current challenges in the food chain such as food losses and waste, with multiple social, environmental and economic consequences.
The FAO estimates that the direct economic cost of lost or wasted products globally is €1 billion per year in economic costs, €700 billion in environmental costs and €900 billion in social costs, for the 1.3 billion tonnes of wasted food throughout the food chain. Of these figures, the primary sector is responsible for close to 8%. In Europe, the most recent data suggests that 20% of the food produced ends up wasting.
Its objective is to reduce food losses and waste (FWP) in the agricultural sector, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector, through digital tools. Specifically, a decision support service will be designed for companies and agents in this link that will help them prevent FLW. This service includes the necessary accompaniment so that they can digitize their Plan for the Prevention and Reduction of Food Losses and Waste, an element that will be mandatory in the future.
Work will also be done on a digital tool that seeks to allow the exchange of surpluses generated between different agents (processing industry, NGOs receiving donations, livestock farmers, feed manufacturers, etc.), guaranteeing traceability and reporting of PDAs to the administrations, which is also expected to be mandatory once the state regulations in this regard have been approved. In addition, an accurate diagnosis of food losses and waste in the fruit and vegetable sector will be carried out and awareness will be raised about the importance of measuring and reducing FLW.
These proposals are perfectly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Target 12.3 seeks, by 2030, to halve global per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level and to reduce food losses in production and supply chains, including subsequent losses to harvest. But the transversal objectives of the Strategy from the Farm to the Table of the European Union and the future Law for the prevention of food losses and waste, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2021, and currently in the legislative process, are also adjusted. .
The PDApp Operational Group is made up of the following members: the Espigoladors Foundation, as representative entity, the Energy and Environment Technology Center (CETENMA), as technical coordinator, the EnergyLab Technology Center, Oreka Circular Economy, the Organizations Coordinator of Farmers and Ranchers (COAG), Kiwi Atlántico, Jimbofresh and Cooperativa Agrícola Conca de la Tordera. Galinsect, Trasdeza Natur, Es Im-Perfect Food, Cooperativa Agrícola Levante Sur and Newen also participate as collaborating members. The GO PDApp will develop this innovative project between 2022 and 2025. It is 80% co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development-FEADER and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, being the General Directorate of Rural Development , Innovation and Agri-Food Training (DGDRIFA) the management authority in charge of the application of the EAFRD and corresponding national aid. The total amount of the approved aid is €599,480.28.
