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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the packaging industry about the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC); and whether he has made representations to the European Commission on that directive.

Discussions have been held with a range of stakeholders, most recently roundtables with representatives of the drinks and coffee cup industries.

Officials receive regular updates from the Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP), who represent all parts of the packaging supply chain, on a wide range of issues relating to the Directive and the UK’s implementing Regulations. The ACP last met on 24 October.

Amendments to the Packaging Directive form part of the proposals for a Circular Economy Package (CEP). This package is currently under negotiation, involving regular and ongoing discussions with the Commission.