Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken (1) to progress plans to introduce mandatory recycling labelling on packaging, and (2) to ensure businesses are able to implement these reforms effectively and at reasonable costs.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We confirmed our intention to require recycling labelling on packaging in March 2022 in the Government's Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility consultation response. We continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop these requirements, the approach to assessing recyclability and the regulations to introduce mandatory labelling.
Labelling will be required by 31 st March 2026 for all packaging except plastic films and flexibles which will be required to be labelled by 31 st March 2027. This should provide sufficient time for business to adopt labelling as part of typical business cycles and to avoid unnecessary costs. It will also allow time for collection services to develop such that all local authorities collect the same packaging materials for recycling.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they will make to ensure the efficient delivery of water purification chemicals from the EU to water companies in the UK in the event of a no-deal withdrawal from the EU.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My department is working closely with the water industry and regulators to prepare for all potential EU withdrawal outcomes.
The water industry is reliant to a large extent on chemicals imported from the EU to ensure water is safe to drink. Often they are supplied on a ‘just in time’ basis. Water companies and officials in my department have been working together to identify the sector’s needs and any steps that should be taken to ensure they continue to be met. Analysis of current supply chains has provided reassurance. The majority of critical chemicals come through ports such as Immingham, which are less likely than Dover to see potential disruption. Water companies are also increasing their on-site stocks of chemicals and are working with suppliers and regulators to increase production rates and storage capacity or look for alternative options for resilience. The Government will further ensure all necessary steps are taken to secure chemicals for the water sector.
As a result of the steps we have taken, my department is confident that we will continue to have safe and plentiful supplies of water in the event of no deal.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to be able to respond to Natural England's proposals for an extension to the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Answered by Lord De Mauley
A public inquiry into Natural England’s proposals to extend the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks was held in June 2013. The inspector’s report has been submitted to Defra and is now being considered. The Secretary of State will issue her decisions in due course.