AQW 1137/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/06/2022
Answered On Date: 06/07/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
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.

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.