Single-use plastics and fishing gear: Reducing marine litter
Most of the plastic in our oceans originates from land-based sources. On European beaches, plastics make up 80-85 % of marine litter, which is considered a major threat to marine and coastal biodiversity. Marine litter also costs the European Union economy an estimated €259 million to €695 million per year. In May 2018, the European Commission put forward a legislative proposal seeking to address the issue of marine litter from plastics. The proposal would introduce a series of measures regarding the top 10 single-use plastics found on European beaches, as well as fishing gear, with a view to reducing their impact on the environment and ensuring a functional internal market. After completion of the legislative procedure, the final act was signed by the presidents of the co-legislators (European Parliament and Council) on 5 June 2019, and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 12 June 2019. Member States have two years (i.e. until 3 July 2021) to transpose the new directive into national law. Fourth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Didier Bourguignon. document has been designed for on-line viewing.
Briefing
About this document
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Policy area
Keyword
- AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
- chemistry
- consumption
- deterioration of the environment
- drafting of EU law
- economic analysis
- ECONOMICS
- ENVIRONMENT
- environmental impact
- environmental policy
- environmental protection
- EU environmental policy
- EUROPEAN UNION
- European Union law
- fisheries
- fishing industry
- impact study
- INDUSTRY
- marine pollution
- non-durable goods
- plastics
- pollution control measures
- proposal (EU)
- TRADE
- waste
- waste management