Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Monday, 15 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 October 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 16 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effects of changes in the type of ink used by newspaper producers on the recycling of newspapers; and if she will make a statement. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of changes in the type of ink used by newspaper producers on the recycling of newspapers; and if she will make a statement. [131105] Mr. Morley: About 10 per cent. of the UK's newsprint is printed using flexographic presses which, at this level, is not sufficient to compromise the quality of recycled pulp produced for newsprint manufacture. We are aware that with current reprocessing technologies, a significant increase in these printing processes would have the potential to compromise the quality of recycled paper, and we have held discussions with the industry on this issue. The Waste and Resources Action Programme will be taking forward work to assess the technical issues associated with the de-inking of flexographic inks.

Secondary information