(North Cornwall)
(Con):...I have learned something today. I was not aware
of that. The whole principle is that reusing plastics rather than
burning them is a much better way of dealing with the scourge we
have in the environment.
I know the Government are keen to explore new and innovative
measures in this area. The National Farmers Union recently said that
it recognises the potential for new production opportunities in
the industry and would like to see some Government action. It
said:
“However, it is important that food safety and quality are not
compromised”.
It wants
“to encourage the phase-out of single-use plastics. Agriculture
is responsible for only a small proportion of plastic packaging
waste.”
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse
Coffey):...Removing the wrap from hay bales can be a
burden for farmers. Failure to do so, and to dispose of it
properly, means that animals can sometimes eat the plastic
wrapping and injure themselves when it enters their rumen. We
urge farmers and agricultural workers to take responsibility for
their waste, and to follow guidance to ensure that they capture
plastic waste and deal with it properly. A coalition of groups
has published information to help farmers and land managers to do
the right thing with agricultural waste as part of the “right
waste, right place” campaign. That campaign was sponsored by the
Environment Agency and supported by the National Farmers Union among
others.
Plastic wrap used for hay bales can be recycled, and the
infrastructure exists within the country to manage that. However,
contamination levels, the relatively high costs of collection and
other costs associated with cleaning plastic waste before it can
be recycled mean that demand for farm plastic waste is very low.
I recognise and welcome the valuable work of operators in the
farming sector who are taking proactive steps to recycle farm
plastic waste. For example, yesterday Grassroots Recycling
organised a meeting that brought together the NFU, the
Environment Agency and 10 farm waste collectors, including Kernow
Farm Plastics Ltd, to which my hon. Friend referred, and Agri
Cycle Ltd, to consider the challenges for recycling farm
plastics...
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