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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of extended producer responsibility costs that will be passed on to consumers; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those costs on the affordability of food and drink.

The Department has assessed the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on both producers and consumers, including the potential effect on the affordability of food and drink. This assessment is included in Section 8 of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

We are closely monitoring the potential impact of these costs on consumer prices and remain committed to balancing environmental goals with economic considerations.