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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2023 to Question 197683 on Sportsgrounds: Rubber, if she will instruct the evidence project to consider the potential impact of future regulatory action in this area of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The referenced evidence project is a UK-wide study, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will review the emissions of intentionally added microplastics, including rubber crumb in sports pitches, and the risks they pose to both human health and the environment, as well as undertaking a socio-economic assessment. Defra and the Devolved Governments will consider its recommendations once complete. Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement and Windsor Framework, EU REACH continues to apply in full to Northern Ireland. As we take forward the new arrangements in the Windsor Framework, will work with the EU to manage issues should they arise.