Exports of plastic rubbish from UK to be restricted

EXPORTING POLLUTING plastic waste from the UK to developing countries will be banned or restricted under new legislation to protect the environment.

The Environment Bill has been reintroduced to Parliament with new powers to stop plastic rubbish exports to less developed countries, to prevent waste being shipped out of sight and boost the UK’s domestic recycling system. The bill was first introduced in October last year, but did not progress as the general election was called shortly afterwards.

It now contains the new powers on plastic exports and a twoyearly review of significant developments in international environmental legislation to ensure the UK keeps up with green protections, officials said.

Other measures in the draft legislation include a legally-binding target to reduce air pollutant

PM2.5, a fine particulate matter, and a framework for long-term legal targets in place on air and water quality and boosting nature.

A new watchdog – the Office of Environmental Protection – will scrutinise laws, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities to uphold standards.

The regulator’s powers will cover climate change legislation and hold the Government to account on the legal commitment to cut greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050, working alongside the existing advisory Committee on Climate Change.

And, in the case of a repeat of the Volkswagen emissions scandal which revealed cars were emitting more pollution than tests showed, ministers will be able to demand manufacturers recall vehicles that do not meet relevant standards.

And after Sheffield Council faced criticism over tree-felling, the Bill also includes steps to give communities a greater say in the protection of local trees.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said: “We are facing climate change and our precious natural environment is under threat. We need to take decisive action.”

Meanwhile, the fishing industry says the UK must control access to its waters after Brexit, as the Fisheries Bill is published.

The Government has introduced legislation which it says ensures the UK will become an independent coastal state, quitting Europe’s common fisheries policy and ending automatic access for EU vessels to fish in British waters.

Elspeth Barrie Deas, of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said “there would be uproar” if the industry was sold out in negotiations.