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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to consult businesses affected by the extended producer responsibility scheme.

We consulted on the principles, objectives, and proposals for extended producer responsibility in 2019 and 2021, and these received high levels of support. We then consulted on the draft regulations in 2023. To ensure producers are prepared for the implementation EPR we engage widely though our monthly Business Readiness Forum, alongside events on specific topics and our regular newsletter goes to over 11,000 subscribers which contains updates and information on the requirement of the scheme. We also work with the Environment Agency and their programme of work which further supports business. This has included extensive engagement on pEPR disposal fees and the Recyclability Assessment Model. We are also actively listening to the sectors concerns and have recently announced further engagement with the sector to improve specific aspects of the scheme such, such as dual use packaging, the packaging recycling note system, and driving increased efficiency and effectiveness in local authority delivery.