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Think tank warns government not to rush plastic decisions
The Green Alliance warns that replacing plastics with plant-based materials could increase pressure for deforestation.
Green Alliance urges against replacing plastics with plant-based materials

The wave of concern over plastic waste could be more damaging than it seems, according to independent think tank, the Green Alliance.

Speaking to BBC News, The Green Alliance’s Libby Peake said: "Plastics are clearly a huge problem but we have concerns that legitimate public outrage will lead businesses and governments to rush into the wrong decisions. We must ensure that whatever solutions we design don't increase emissions, damage world ecosystems or result in more waste."

Her commons follow a call for evidence by Chancellor Phillip Hammond on taxes on single-use plastic. He said that taxes would increase the cost of new plastic and make it attractive to recycle or switch to alternative products like wood.

Responding, the Green Alliance warned that replacing plastics with plant-based materials could increase the pressure for deforestation and, in turn, lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Earlier this month, Danish toymaker Lego announced that it’s bushes, trees and leaves would soon be made with plastic sourced from sugarcane. The move followed public outcry against plastics and forms part of the company’s promise to use sustainable materials in products by 2030.

Ms Peake told BBC News: "Turning plants into plastic in this way means that, at the end of life, it won't be biodegradable and will have all the potential drawbacks of traditional plastic. In other words, it won't do anything to solve the crisis of marine pollution.”

The Green Alliance has proposed a series of alternatives, including a ban on products that are unnecessarily made from plastic, such as straw and cotton buds. They have also called for a stop on using so many different types of plastic and to ensure that all types are easy to recycle. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
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Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.