Objective:
The aim of the Basque plan of action against food waste is to promote and support a set of specific actions aimed at preventing and reducing the amount of wasted food throughout the food production, supply and consumption chain in the Basque Country. Likewise, it is intended to facilitate the donation for human consumption of the surplus, and the recovery of other surpluses for use in animal food. On the other hand, this plan aims to help implement the SDGs (particularly SDG 12.3- halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains), as well as the recommendations of the Resolution of 19 December January 2012 of the European Parliament.

Scope:
The actions envisaged in this Plan are designed and adapted to the reality of the Basque Country and include actions in the field of production, transformation, transport, trade, and consumption of food in the Basque Country.

Structure and Work Plan:
The guidance of the work plan and specific actions are led by the Operating Committee Platform of the Basque Country. The main mission of the Platform is to provide advice and support to the Basque administrations in order to adopt the necessary policy lines to meet the objectives of this Plan. It has established the following six working initiatives:
1. Encourage food retailing short circuits and differentiate local agri-food products.
2. Define and prioritize lines of research on sustainable food production.
3. Experiences of incorporating local products in community kitchens.
4. Plan for the Promotion of Ecological Production in the Basque Country: FOPE.
5. Nirea Initiative.
6. Zero Food waste.

Governance:
An Operational Table has been created and is made up of people with direct or indirect technical experience in areas related to food waste, either in a personal capacity or representing both public and private entities. The main function of this Operational Table is to coordinate and drive the Platform and the specific Working Groups.
This task force has the following functions:
-To propose actions within the scope of the Plan.
-To compile experiences, information, and practices in relation to food waste.
-To be the nexus of union and governance of the Platform and the different specific Working Groups within the framework of the Plan.
-To analyze and share the information and data available on the actions being carried out in the field of food waste in the Basque Country.
-To advise and serve as a focal point for agents, organizations, companies, and citizens who wish to participate in actions to reduce food waste.
-To monitor the development and application of the actions contemplated in each of the areas of action established in the Plan.

For operational purposes, the Working Groups focus on the following lines of action:
1. Sources of information and data.
2. Awareness, dissemination, and training.
3. Development of guidelines.
4. Support and promotion of research.
Solutions: These working groups are led by Elika, who acts as the secretariat.

In the Basque Country, it is estimated that food waste exceeds 350,000 tons. This is 160 kg/person /year, approximately. There, this initiative, with the collaboration of various public and private entities and institutions, and sectoral agents that make up the Basque food chain, aims to join forces so that by 2030 the amount of food we waste will drop by at least 50%.
For this, one of the focuses will be on the Circular Food Cycle, whose objective is to take advantage of the complete cycle of the food value chain, from the production to the transformation and sale of food, including the use and recovery of by-products and waste.
The Key Project for Circular Food is jointly led by the Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock and the Directorate of the Natural Environment and Environmental Planning, which aims to consolidate a new agricultural model in the Basque Country that respects the environment and promotes and facilitates responsible eating habits.
The project aims to enhance the aim of Basque Plan of Action against Food Waste to promote the environmental sustainability of the Basque primary sector by taking advantage of the complete cycle of the food value chain in the Basque Country (production, transformation, sale, reuse and recovery of by-products and waste), in order to strengthen natural capital and activate ecosystem services, improve people's health and encourage the creation of employment on the basis of sustainable rural development.

https://www.zerodespilfarro.eus/; https://www.elika.eus/