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Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 May 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 May 2023. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 May 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture: Plastics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential for soil-biodegradable mulch films certified to the BSI standard BS EN17033 to replace single-use agriplastics.

Answer

The Environment Agency has not carried out any assessments of the British Standards associated with biodegradable mulch films nor its potential to replace single-use agriplastics.

However, once a single-use plastic has fulfilled its intended use (regardless of its construction/biodegradability) there will be a presumption that on discard the plastic will become a waste and should therefore be managed as part of normal waste management controls. This would not support a ploughing in the waste plastic into the soil on the field.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
185219
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Agriculture Biodegradability Plastics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk