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<p>Healthy soil underpins a range of ecosystem services including food production,
biodiversity, carbon storage and flood risk mitigation. Addressing contaminants in
soil, including microplastic pollution, is vital for protecting and improving soil
health. We are working to build an understanding of the impact of microplastics to
soil and to develop mitigation capabilities.</p><p> </p><p>The plastic problem is
one of management not eradication, to reduce, reuse, and recycle the material we have
and not let it escape into, and damage, our environment. We have focused our efforts
in tackling the most commonly used and littered plastic items, but we are aware of
concerns with the use of agri-plastics too, particularly with single-use types such
as mulch films.</p><p> </p><p>We are concerned about the potential for oxo-degradable
plastic to release microplastics. In 2021, we published our response to a call for
evidence which also covered oxo-degradable plastics. Most respondents objected to
their use and supported introducing a ban. A review by the Hazardous Substances Advisory
Committee (HSAC) showed there is no environmental benefit to oxo-degradable plastic,
and they are likely to be harmful when released into the environment. This year, Defra
has commissioned a second HSAC review and are minded to introduce a ban on this material
pending evidence from the review.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government continues to take
a cautious approach to biodegradable plastics. The UK standard for biodegradable plastics
(EN13432) allows for contaminants in the final output: “no more than 10% contaminants
to pass through a 2mm sieve”. This means that microplastics less than 2mm could be
produced by a biodegradable plastic mulch film that meets the standard and be spread
to land. Additionally, while we are not aware of any biodegradable plastic that can
reach levels of 100% biodegradation, evidence used to inform the European Union’s
legislation around biodegradable plastics in agricultural applications may not apply
to the UK. The UK has differing conditions, such as temperatures and humidity levels,
which affect biodegradability.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to review the evidence
around both types of plastic to take a systematic approach to reducing the use of
unnecessary and harmful single-use plastics.</p>
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