Group 4: Manufacture of prohibited single-use plastic products (Amendments 57, 58, 59, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 30, 56)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 6 December 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 4:50, 6 December 2022

Diolch, Llywydd. The purpose of my lead amendment 57 and various consequential amendments to it would be, as set out, to ban the manufacture of the items listed in this legislation, as well as the supply of them. It would be to bring this legislation in line with Scottish legislation, but the principle here should concern us in Wales arguably even more because of the global responsibility contained in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The idea behind these amendments would be to ensure that products can't be manufactured in Wales and then exported to other parts of the world. It would seem to me that failing to ban the manufacture of items would be to inadvertently almost erase the steps forward we are taking boldly in this Bill. We talk often in this Chamber about the need to ensure we do not offshore our conscience. With plastic waste, this principle seems particularly pertinent. Other parts of our globe might still drown in plastic made here in Wales unless we are more prescriptive. We should be proud, of course, of the 'made in Wales' brand. It shouldn't be something that brings us shame.

Because of the future generations Act, in many ways I would argue that these amendments in principle would tie this Bill in with the principles of other law. They would help set out what such important statements should mean in practice. I do hope that they will receive support. Diolch.