Member

6: After Clause 11, insert the following new Clause— “Plastic pollution and marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction(1) The Secretary of State must, in exercising functions under this Act, have regard to the risks to the marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction arising from plastic pollution, in accordance to the preamble to the Agreement.(2) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish a statement (“the plastic pollution statement”) setting out—(a) the Government’s assessment of the actual and potential impacts of plastic pollution on the marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction,(b) the measures the Government proposes to take, through the exercise of functions under this Act and other enactments, and through co-operation in relevant international organisations and bodies, to prevent, reduce and monitor such pollution, and(c) how those measures are intended to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and to the objectives of the Agreement.(3) In particular, the statement must address—(a) how the United Kingdom will, as appropriate—(i) co-operate with the International Maritime Organization and other competent international organisations to promote the adoption and effective implementation of mandatory measures to prevent and respond to plastic pollution from ships;(ii) support the development of regionally and globally coordinated monitoring, reporting and data-sharing on plastic pollution, including its presence in areas beyond national jurisdiction;(iii) encourage best practice standards across the plastic supply chain, including in relation to the containment, packaging, labelling and handling of plastic intended for transport by sea;(b) any proposals to support capacity-building, technology transfer and scientific research related to the detection, tracking and mitigation of plastic pollution in areas beyond national jurisdiction, in co-operation with developing States.(4) In preparing and revising the plastic pollution statement the Secretary of State must consult—(a) the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland; (b) such persons as the Secretary of State considers representative of the scientific community, civil society, affected coastal communities and industry sectors involved in the manufacture, handling, shipping and use of plastic;(c) such international organisations and bodies as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.(5) The Secretary of State must—(a) publish the first plastic pollution statement within the period of 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed, and(b) lay the statement, and any revised statement, before Parliament.(6) The Secretary of State must, at least once in every Parliament, review the plastic pollution statement and, if appropriate, revise it.”Member’s explanatory statement This new clause requires the Secretary of State to assess and respond to the risks posed to marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction by plastic pollution arising from activities under UK jurisdiction or control.