Gummer ignores flaws in packaging plan

Environment Secretary John Gummer has backed proposals by the packaging industry to protect the short-term future of cardboard and plastics recycling against cheap imports. Put together by the packaging industry's Producer Responsibility Industry Group (PRG), the plan safeguards over 90% of the plastics recycling infrastructure for the next six months. But PRG itself admits that it has not responded fully to the paper industry's need for immediate support, and that its plan may not protect the ailing recycling scheme for agricultural plastics. Mr Gummer's lack of firmness suggests that he may accept an inadequate long-term plan for packaging waste in December.