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 promote the use of drinking straws made from non-polluting materials.

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.