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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to ban or limit the use of non-biodegradable plastic in the packaging of bread and other bakery products; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has made no plans to ban or limit the use of non-biodegradable plastic in the packaging of bread and other bakery products, though we have asked WRAP to consider this as part of the work for the UK plastic Pact.

Packaging extends the shelf-life of bread, enables easy freezing and therefore supports action to reduce levels of bread waste in the home. Currently the shelf-life of loose store baked bread is 1-2 days whilst pre-packed bread has a shelf-life of 6-7 days.

The Government remains committed to preventing waste where possible and we will be consulting widely on our plans for resources, waste and recycling in developing our Resources and Waste Strategy.