The debate on the proposed charge on plastic bags in the UK – see Plasteurope.com of 13.02.2014 – continues to develop with publication of a statement by the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association (OPA, London / UK; www.biodeg.org) saying that it believes that the European Parliament’s amendments against oxo-biodegradable plastic to the Packaging Waste Directive have been orchestrated by lobbyists for the vegetable-based plastics industry, in particular a large Italian company with close links to the Italian Government. The association considers that the company sees oxo-biodegradable plastic as a serious competitor for market share. The OPA has therefore sought the support of other member states to oppose these amendments.

The OPA points to a statement issued by the Italian presidency that it claims contains factual errors and has been written with no scientific basis and has called for elements of the statement to be struck out, otherwise it will be damaging the European oxo-biodegradable plastics industry, and could have a negative impact on academic research on oxo-biodegradable technology.

In its own statement, the OPA says: “A fair and reasonable solution would be for the Commission to undertake an objective technical assessment of the impact of all biodegradable plastic bags on the environment, and on the basis of that independent review, come back with proposals to address this important issue. The OPA would cooperate fully with the Commission in this assessment.”