Italy is to embark on a series of measures to tackle food waste in the country, after a new law on the issue was passed by the country’s upper house.

The Italian government has set out to make it easier for companies to donate unsold food to charity. Businesses will pay less tax on waste the more they give away. Farmers will also be able to donate directly.

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Rome has set up a fund to support development in areas such as packaging.

The law has also sought to encourage the use of doggy bags in restaurants to allow guests to take home uneaten food.

Maurizio Martina, Italy’s minister for agriculture, food and forestry policy, said the new law “confirms Italy is leading the fight against food waste”.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Italy’s Prime Minister re-tweeted a post by his own Democratic Party, which claimed the regulations had “great ethical and economic implications” for the country.