Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage retailers and food outlets to eliminate the use of plastic straws.

The impact of single-use plastics is a critical concern for Defra and I have praised outlets that have switched to using plant based drinking straws and those that have stopped automatically providing straws. The extent of single-use plastics needs to be addressed and options for engagement with key stakeholders are being drawn up, for example in relation to developing a renewed strategy on waste and resources that looks ahead at opportunities outside the EU. These will include discussions with leading retailers.