More than 8,000 people have signed a petition urging the UK government to ban supermarkets from throwing away edible food, arguing that surplus items should be donated to food banks and charities to help reduce hunger and environmental damage.
Petition calls for mandatory donations
The petition, posted on February 11, calls for a ban on supermarkets discarding food that is safe to eat, and requires them to donate surplus items approaching their best-before date or with minor imperfections to food banks and local charities. It argues that while millions rely on food banks, tonnes of edible food are wasted daily.
“Ending food waste could reduce hunger, cut environmental damage, and show real social responsibility. No one should go hungry while good food is thrown away,” the petition reads.
Farmers face brutal harvest
The campaign comes as farmers report a “completely brutal” harvest this summer after months of hot weather and low rainfall. Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and a farmer in Cambridgeshire, described this year’s harvest as “a real kick in the teeth.”
“After two terrible harvests in a row, the crops this year were looking good and full of potential coming out of spring, only for months of drought and heatwaves to destroy any prospect of a decent harvest,” he said. “I’ve never known it this dry and hot on our farm. Even farmers I know who were sceptical of climate change are now saying they’re really worried about the future of their businesses and production, it’s just been completely brutal for our industry.”
Petition deadline and next steps
The petition will remain open until August 11. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will issue a response. Petitions reaching 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in Parliament.
