THE Scottish Green Party has warned that the UK Government ‘must not stand in the way’ of Scotland’s actions to tackle single-use plastics.
It comes as Scotland looks to ban single-use plastics such as polystyrene, plastic straws, cutlery, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks.
However, the Scottish Greens warned that the plans are under threat from the UK Internal Market Act, which it said allows the UK to ‘effectively’ veto devolved decisions.
The warning comes despite the UK Government announcing a 12-week consultation on its own plans to ban such plastics.
Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, raised the issue at Holyrood’s net zero, energy and transport committee. She said, “The ban is at risk from the UK Internal Market Act, which effectively exempts items that are produced in or imported via another part of the UK.”
She confirmed officials have approached the UK Government to establish a common framework which would maintain environmental standards.
Speaking afterwards, Scottish Greens environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, added, “Scottish Greens are committed to tackling the plastic that permeates our landfill sites, oceans and waterways, and the impact that has on our environment and the climate emergency. Protecting our environment is a devolved matter, yet the UK Government’s internal market presents a clear obstacle to our efforts to tackle the scourge of plastic and build a circular economy.”
