AQW 1137/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to ban single-use plastic cutlery.

Asked by John Blair MLA on 8 June 2022

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
8 June 2022
Answer due by
23 June 2022
Answered
6 July 202228 days after tabling
Department
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Priority question
No

Answer

You may recall that in November 2020 I announced in the Assembly my intention to ban a range of common single-use plastic items including plastic cutlery. However, shortly after my announcement the UK Government unveiled its withdrawal agreement with the European Union that included the requirement to transpose elements of EU Directive 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (the Single-use Plastic Directive). Therefore until ongoing discussions between the UK and the EU are resolved I am unable to make any plans regarding legislation to ban single-use plastic cutlery.

Official sources