State Intervention Against Food Waste Through Fiscal and Legal Regulations: The Cases of France and Italy

Öz

Food waste has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental, economic, and social issues of our time, generating significant global externalities. This study evaluates the costs of food waste that are inadequately internalised by market mechanisms through the lens of the concept of externalities and highlights the necessity of state intervention. The environmental degradation, economic losses, and social inequalities caused by food waste necessitate effective interventions aligned with the goals of sustainable development. In this context, the study analyses the potential of fiscal instruments such as waste taxes imposed on supermarkets and financial tools that promote food donations, including subsidies and tax reductions. Additionally, national legal regulations and policy practices are examined, with a particular focus on the Garot and Gadda laws adopted in France and Italy, respectively, to illustrate the role of the state. It is observed that these laws are supported not only by economic incentives but also by comprehensive public intervention and legal regulations. Due to the inadequacy of market mechanisms in addressing complex externalities such as food waste, the development of multidimensional and integrated public policies has become imperative. The findings of the study indicate that the coordinated implementation of fiscal policies and legal regulations plays a decisive role in reducing food waste and facilitating the transition to sustainable food systems.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Food Waste
• Tax Policies
• Market Failure
• Externalities

Vergisel ve Hukuki Düzenlemelerle Gıda İsrafına Karşı Devlet Müdahalesi: Fransa ve İtalya Örnekleri

Öz

Gıda israfı, günümüzün en önemli çevresel, ekonomik ve sosyal sorunlarından biri olarak küresel çapta ciddi dışsallıklar oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, gıda israfının piyasa mekanizmaları tarafından yeterince içselleştirilemeyen maliyetlerini, dışsallıklar kavramı temelinde değerlendirmekte ve devlet müdahalesinin gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Gıda israfının yol açtığı çevresel bozulmalar, ekonomik kayıplar ve toplumsal eşitsizlikler sürdürülebilir kalkınma hedefleri doğrultusunda etkin müdahaleler yapılmasını zorunlu kılmaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışma, süpermarketlerde uygulanan atık vergileri gibi vergisel yaptırımlar ile gıda bağışlarını teşvik eden sübvansiyon ve vergi indirimleri gibi mali araçların potansiyelini analiz etmektedir. Ayrıca ulusal düzeyde geliştirilen yasal düzenlemeler ve politika uygulamaları incelenerek, özellikle Fransa ve İtalya’da kabul edilen Garot ve Gadda yasaları örnekleri üzerinden devletin rolü detaylandırılmaktadır. Bu yasaların yalnızca ekonomik teşvikler değil, aynı zamanda kapsamlı kamu müdahalesi ve hukuki düzenlemelerle desteklendiği görülmektedir. Gıda israfı gibi karmaşık dışsallıkların önlenmesinde piyasa mekanizmalarının yetersiz kalması nedeniyle devletin çok boyutlu ve entegre politikalar geliştirmesi zorunlu hale gelmektedir. Çalışmanın bulgularında da maliye politikalarının ve hukuki düzenlemelerin eşgüdümlü biçimde uygulanmasının gıda israfını azaltmada ve sürdürülebilir gıda sistemlerine geçişte belirleyici bir rol oynadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Gıda İsrafı
• Vergi Politikaları
• Piyasa Başarısızlığı
• Dışsallıklar

Kaynakça

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