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France to ban non-degradable plastic bags

Environment Daily 1962, 14/10/05

French MPs have unanimously voted to ban non-biodegradable plastic carrier bags by 2010, it emerged this week. Initially drafted as a private member's bill by Yves Jego MP in February, the amendment is now part of a framework law on farming which is expected to be passed next week, according to a spokeswoman from the French agriculture ministry.

The amendment is expected to help French farmers find new market opportunities as production subsidies through the EU's common agricultural policy are progressively declining. Biodegradable plastic bags are currently made of polymer and corn starch.

European plastic industry trade body PlasticsEurope called the amendment a "serious step back" from government commitments to increase recycling. It called the move "out of proportion" and unrealistic, and accused MPs of making a "hasty decision".

PlasticsEurope and several media outlets - led by Le Monde - have reported that the amendment covers all plastics packaging, not just carrier bags. However, there is uncertainty over this point. Mr Jego's original private member's bill covered only bags. A spokesman for the MP told Environment Daily on Friday that the ban did not cover packaging as well.

Follow-up: French parliament web pages on the framework law

http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/dossiers/pl_orientation_agricole.asp,

PlasticsEurope press release http://www.environmentdaily.com/docs/51014b.doc,

 Le Monde article http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0,36-698433,0.html,

and Yves Jego website http://yvesjego.typepad.com/