MP Kit Malthouse visits Wiltshire Farm Foods depot in Kingsclere to discuss new regulation concerns

During a visit to a home meals delivery company’s Kingsclere depot, North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse listened to concerns shared by the company that consumers will be bearing the brunt of pending legislations with increased costs, writes Sofia De Freitas Franco.

The Government plans to introduce new regulations for what it calls “extended producer responsibility” (EPR).

The regulations aim to shift the waste and recycling costs of packaging from local authorities to the businesses that produce it.

However, Wiltshire Farm Foods, as well as the food industry at large, is concerned about some “unjustifiable” omissions.

The company has asked the Government to rethink the proposed regulations.

Wiltshire Farm Foods' director of corporate affairs, policy and sustainability Lee Sheppard hosted the visit by Mr Malthouse to the depot in Orchard Business Park, Basingstoke Road.

Mr Sheppard said that it is a little more than another tax and the company should not be penalised for doing the right thing and investing in responsible practice to support government policy.

He said: “Whilst we fully support the principles of EPR, this is a missed opportunity for Government to address packaging waste in a way that rewards good behaviour and without adding cost to consumers.”

Mr Malthouse agreed that the proposals needed clarification.

He said: “Anything which increases costs to the consumer is of concern right now and it’s clear that the proposed regulations would benefit from further review to consider innovative environmental schemes such as this one.”

Mr Sheppard added: “We implore the Government to reconsider its EPR legislative proposals before it’s too late and customers who can ill afford to pay more are penalised.”