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| EU hints at outlawing single-use plastics by summer after Gove said Europe could block UK plastic straws ban | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The European Commission has hinted the EU could ban single-use plastics after Michael Gove said there was "some concern" Europe may prevent the UK outlawing plastic straws. | |
| Frans Timmerman, Vice-President of the EU's executive cabinet, told Mr Gove on Twitter: "One step ahead of you. EU legislation on single-use plastics coming before the summer. Maybe you can align with us?" | Frans Timmerman, Vice-President of the EU's executive cabinet, told Mr Gove on Twitter: "One step ahead of you. EU legislation on single-use plastics coming before the summer. Maybe you can align with us?" |
| The announcement came shortly after the Environment Secretary announced he was looking into the legal basis for ditching single-use straws. | The announcement came shortly after the Environment Secretary announced he was looking into the legal basis for ditching single-use straws. |
| Mr Gove told Sky News: “Plastic straws are a scourge. They're just one example of the ways in which we pollute the oceans and damage marine wildlife. I want to do everything we can to restrict the use of plastic straws and we're exploring at the moment if we can ban them." | Mr Gove told Sky News: “Plastic straws are a scourge. They're just one example of the ways in which we pollute the oceans and damage marine wildlife. I want to do everything we can to restrict the use of plastic straws and we're exploring at the moment if we can ban them." |
| He added: “There is some concern that EU laws mean that we can’t ban straws at moment, but I'm doing everything I can to ensure that we end this scourge and I hope to make an announcement shortly. | He added: “There is some concern that EU laws mean that we can’t ban straws at moment, but I'm doing everything I can to ensure that we end this scourge and I hope to make an announcement shortly. |
| “Straws are not just another example of plastic waste - they can be lethal... I believe we need to act and I'm exploring now what we can do as quick as possible within the law.” | “Straws are not just another example of plastic waste - they can be lethal... I believe we need to act and I'm exploring now what we can do as quick as possible within the law.” |
| But Dr Viviane Gravey, lecturer in European Politics at Queens University Belfast, told The Independent Mr Gove's comments were "basically nonsense". | |
| "It is especially nonsense for just that example of plastic straws," she said. "We know that the Scottish government – within the EU – is saying that they are going to ban them by the end of 2019. That means during the transition or implementation period… still while being banned by all EU law." | |
| Mr Gove has previously said he was "haunted" by seeing images of plastic pollution in the oceans on BBC series Blue Planet II. | Mr Gove has previously said he was "haunted" by seeing images of plastic pollution in the oceans on BBC series Blue Planet II. |
| The move comes just a day after official figures revealed the number of straws purchased by Parliament has doubled in the last three years. | The move comes just a day after official figures revealed the number of straws purchased by Parliament has doubled in the last three years. |
| Data from the House of Commons Commission showed the number of straws bought had gone up from 6,000 in 2014/15 to 12,250 in 2016/17. | Data from the House of Commons Commission showed the number of straws bought had gone up from 6,000 in 2014/15 to 12,250 in 2016/17. |
| On Wednesday, Mr Timmerman told a conference there is "urgent work to do" following China's decision to limit imports of plastic waste. | On Wednesday, Mr Timmerman told a conference there is "urgent work to do" following China's decision to limit imports of plastic waste. |
| "We will find ways to re-use and recycle more plastic and avoid micro-plastic leakage," he said. | "We will find ways to re-use and recycle more plastic and avoid micro-plastic leakage," he said. |
| Between eight and 12 tonnes of plastic are dumped in the world's seas each year. If current levels of pollution continue, there will be more plastic than fish in the seas by 2050, according to the United Nations. | Between eight and 12 tonnes of plastic are dumped in the world's seas each year. If current levels of pollution continue, there will be more plastic than fish in the seas by 2050, according to the United Nations. |
| But according to a recent survey, UK families are now making concerted efforts to cut their plastic use by turning back to traditional shopping methods. | But according to a recent survey, UK families are now making concerted efforts to cut their plastic use by turning back to traditional shopping methods. |
| The study found that 93 per cent of families said they were trying to use fewer plastic items. However, only 17 per cent said they were able to afford pricier alternatives. | The study found that 93 per cent of families said they were trying to use fewer plastic items. However, only 17 per cent said they were able to afford pricier alternatives. |
| Dubbed "granny shopping", three in five families said they bought loose fruit and veg, not pre-packed, while 44 per cent were once again choosing washing powder in cardboard boxes instead of pre-wrapped capsules in a plastic tub. | Dubbed "granny shopping", three in five families said they bought loose fruit and veg, not pre-packed, while 44 per cent were once again choosing washing powder in cardboard boxes instead of pre-wrapped capsules in a plastic tub. |