Straw wars: EU challenges Gove to race on plastic ban

THE European Commission challenged Michael Gove to a race to see whether Britain or Brussels can ban plastics first in the latest twist of a battle labelled “straw wars”.

On Monday, the commission put forward plans to cut down on single-use plastics – straws, drink stirrers and cutlery – similar to the ban announced by the Government in April.

Frans Timmermans, the commission’s vice-president, said: “Let’s see who does best,” before throwing down the gauntlet to Mr Gove to win “a race to the top” in stopping plastics polluting the oceans. Britain’s ban could come into force next year. The EU’S law is not expected until 2022.