The deputies of the European Parliament have adopted an amendment that excludes wooden packaging for Camamber cheese from the list of compulsory processing. This decision arose as a result of a violent discussion generated by the European Commission's decision to demand the processing of the entire package by 2030, which was a problem for boxes used for packaging Camamber cheese.
"We are ready to admit that some of the most valuable products of European heritage are related to certain wooden and ceramic packaging. We are open to exceptions for such products that are usually produced in limited quantities and are part of our inheritance,"-said the Commissioner on the Environment.
"We saved our Kamambers," said French deputy Valerie Hayer after the vote, adding that other types of cheeses will also remain "well protected."
According to the amendment, the processing obligation does not apply to wooden packaging for Kamamber and Mon-D'or cheeses, oysters, strawberry trays or wax packaging of some cheeses.
The new rules approved by the European Parliament are aimed at reducing the amount of waste from packaging by 20-30%, which is 80 billion tons annually. The MEPs defined the purpose by 2029 to provide a separate collection of 90% of packaging materials (plastic, wood, ferrous metals, aluminum, glass, paper and cardboard). By 2035, the chemical industry must make its packaging suitable for processing, and quotas for bottling disposal will be introduced. In addition, the new law obliges catering by 2030 to use reusable utensils for serving.
