The EFRA Committee has today written to DEFRA
Minister , with recommendations to the
Government, in the run-up to the international treaty
negotiations taking place in Geneva in August aimed at reaching a
Global Plastics Treaty.
The Committee's letter follows the evidence session it held
on the subject on 8 July, when MPs took evidence relating to
the upcoming treaty discussions (INC-5.2). The Committee heard
from two panels of witnesses, the first of which included
Greenpeace UK and academic experts specialising in waste law and
plastic pollution, and a second panel of witnesses which involved
industry representatives from across the plastics value
chain.
In their letter to Defra today, MPs stress that it is vital that
the negotiations in August reach an agreement which includes
targets on reducing the production of plastics, the key sticking
point which has reportedly been the reason for previous
negotiations failing to reach an agreement.
In the July evidence session,
MPs heard from a plastic pollution expert that, “it
is... really clear that the rate of production is escalating away
at an exponential rate from our ability to manage that
waste.”
The Committee's letter to Defra today states “we are convinced
that legally binding targets for reducing production of primary
plastics are essential if the tide is to be turned on plastic
pollution”.
MPs want the Government to do all it can to persuade
participating countries to accept this article in the treaty and
they urge the Government to refuse to sign any agreement which
lacks this element.
Addressing health concerns around chemicals in some plastics, the
Committee recommends that the UK delegation at the negotiations
supports the inclusion of a robust article on chemicals of
concern and harmful plastic products.
This should include a ban on known hazardous chemical groupings
and a phase-out of harmful plastic products, while ensuring
potential substitutes for these are subject to the same criteria,
to guard against unintended consequences resulting from switching
to different materials.
The letter also recommends that the UK advocates for harmonised
global design standards aimed at maximising reusability and
recyclability of plastic products, and minimising environmental
impacts.
Emphasising the importance of a scientific basis for the future
evolution of policies and agreements on plastic waste, the
Committee recommends that the treaty should include the
establishment of an independent standing science panel, to ensure
that it is able to keep pace with emerging evidence. This body
would govern the scope and timescale of measures such as the
phasing out of harmful plastic products and chemicals.
In written evidence it has received, and in its July evidence
session, the Committee has heard concerns regarding accusations
of undue influence from those with vested interests in continuing
the status quo, interfering with the negotiation process.
The MPs' letter states “we were particularly disturbed to hear of
the significant pressure and, in some cases, reported threats
faced by independent scientists taking part in the treaty
negotiations.”
The Committee stresses that “while it is vital that all relevant
parties need to be involved in the talks, and that industry
involvement is essential for a successful agreement, all parties
taking part must be able to do so free of undue influence”.
The letter calls on the UK delegation to do everything in its
power to ensure the highest standards of openness, transparency
and inclusivity are upheld at the August talks.
On the financing of the treaty, the Committee's letter discusses
the pros and cons of the Global Environment Facility (GEF),
noting that the GEF may not meet the needs of Global South
countries who are worst impacted by plastic pollution and as such
would limit the ability of the treaty to be successful. The
Committee therefore sets out its support for a new, dedicated
fund, specifically designed to enable parties to deliver the
treaty's key objectives.
The Chair of the EFRA Committee, MP,
said:
“In 2022, our predecessor committee found that global plastic
waste was forecast to almost triple by 2060. At the time, it
welcomed the fact that the then Government had signed up to the
UN's Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, to reach a legally
binding agreement to address the problem.
“It is unfortunate that the scheduled final round of talks in
November failed to reach an agreement. As we look ahead to the
talks in Geneva in August, it is essential that our Government
pushes for the inclusion of targets to reduce the production of
plastic and it should refuse to sign any treaty that does not
contain this key commitment.
“During our gathering of evidence, we were disturbed to hear that
independent scientists taking part in the treaty negotiations can
face significant pressure and, in some cases, even reported
threats. The UK delegation must champion the highest standards of
openness and transparency at the negotiations, and it should call
out any behaviour witnessed which falls short of this.
“Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires
international cooperation. We hope to see the talks in August
achieve a bold agreement to deal with the issue and urge the UK
Government to be a strong advocate for maximising
ambition.”
