Yesterday, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, welcomed Rhys ab Owen MS’s Member’s Legislative Proposal to create a Bill banning the use of single-use plastic on fruits and vegetables.
Janet commented:
“Firstly, I would like to thank Rhys ab Owen MS for bringing this important proposal forward, and I am delighted to support it. The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill has put our nation in the right direction, but we haven’t gone far enough.
“In 2013–14, 13,781 tonnes of mixed plastics were disposed of from households, a decade later this figure is up to 20,384 tonnes. Microplastics have even been detected in human blood. This is of extreme concern. The more we can do to reduce plastic, the better.
“Our fresh produce should be sold without plastic, as was done in the past. Removing this packaging will reduce waste and save people money in the long run.
“For hundreds of years, such as at markets like Llanrwst, Swansea, and Machynlleth, produce has been sold loose. People have chosen and bought what they need. I see no reason why even more should be empowered to do so again. I look forward to seeing how this proposal progresses.”
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Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
