GEPC · Trade unions and professional associations · FR
GROUPEMENT EUROPEEN DES PRODUCTEURS DE CHAMPIGNONS EUROPEAN MUSHROOM GROWERS’ GROUP GEPC 44 rue d’Alésia TSA 41445 - 75158 PARIS cedex 14 – Tél. : (33) 1 53 91 45 23 19th April 2023 Commission’s proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation The GEPC, which represents the European cultivated mushrooms sector would like to react about the proposal of the Commission to ban the single use packaging for less than 1.5 kg fresh fruit and vegetables, unless there is a demonstrated need to avoid water loss or turgidity loss, microbiological hazards or physical shocks. Fresh cultivated mushrooms consumed in the EU come at 98 % from European growers. The European production of 1,07 Mtons is essentially composed of the best known widely used “button mushroom” (Agaricus bisporus). Other cultivated mushrooms (Oysters, Shiitake, etc…) are high value niches products.
…mushroom” (Agaricus bisporus). Other cultivated mushrooms (Oysters, Shiitake, etc…) are high value niches products. As they are very perishable and fragile fresh products, mushrooms are mainly sold in punnets covered by a stretch foil. This allows to maintain good hygienic conditions, the water content of the mushrooms, contributes to extent their shelf-life and reduce food waste. Although other materials than plastic like cardboard or wood can be found at a higher price for the punnets, there is currently no alternative for the plastic stretch foil. Rather than a ban on single use packaging in fresh fruit and vegetables, there should be recommendations to move towards more environment friendly materials, scientifically assessed, an harmonized implementation in all Member States, in order to help increasing the consumption of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables in the EU.
…in all Member States, in order to help increasing the consumption of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables in the EU. GEPC is currently composed of 10 delegations representing the mushroom growers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. Those 10 countries account for 90% of the overall European production of mushroom, which amounts at 1,070,000 tons. GEPC defends the interests of the fresh and processed cultivated mushrooms production at an EU and international level. Ref. Ares(2023)2771873 - 19/04/2023