The threat is lifted for the famous wooden Camembert boxes, which in a few days have become the unexpected point of tension for ambitious legislation intended to reduce packaging waste. The European Parliament voted on Wednesday (November 22) to exclude these beloved boxes from recycling obligations in a proposed European Union law.
Proposed by the European Commission, this text notably imposes recycling objectives for all packaging in the Union from 2030. French companies and MEPs have been very alarmed in recent days that such a provision threatens cheese boxes in wood, for which no dedicated recycling sector exists – which cannot be profitable in any case given the low volumes involved.
“We readily recognize that some of the most precious products of our European heritage are associated with certain wooden, ceramic […]. We are completely open to the exemption of such products, usually in small quantities, which are the pride of our heritage”declared Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius during a press briefing.
“This can be easily resolved” during negotiations between MEPs and states to finalize the legislation, “but since this question has come up so loudly, I am happy to answer it and calm the passions on the subject”he added.
Camembert, Mont d’Or and Babybel on “repeat”
By adopting their position on the text on Wednesday with a view to talks with the States, the MEPs meeting in plenary session validated an amendment tabled by the Renew group (liberals). The latter provides that the recycling obligation does not apply at this stage to wooden packaging (boxes of Camembert, Mont d’Or, oyster baskets, trays of strawberries, etc.) or wax (which concerns the Babybel), until Brussels has examined their specific situation.
“Our amendment […] was widely supported. So the subject is settled! », welcomed the president (Renew) of the parliamentary Environment committee, Pascal Canfin. This will allow “to preserve wooden packaging, such as the emblematic Mont d’Or spruce box”cheese from the Jura, added his colleague Christophe Grudler.
The organization of majority agricultural unions (Copa-Cogeca) welcomed ” good news “ for cheese producers. An amendment tabled at the same time by the EPP (right) to also demand a derogation was, however, not retained, to the great dismay of MEP François-Xavier Bellamy, who believes that the Renew amendment only represents a “temporary reprieve”.