Page 20 - Plastics News May 2020

UK Government warned against plastic US issues final decision over investigation on
lobbyist efforts during the coronavirus crisis Chinese glass imports

ore than 20 scientists, campaigners, and he final determination was reported by law firm
Mpoliticians have signed a letter in which they TWiley Rein. It covers glass containers used for beer
warned the UK Government against lobbyist attempts bottles, wine bottles, liquor/spirits bottles, non-
to block new laws on plastic pollution as the world alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink beverages, and
copes with the coronavirus. They expressed concerns food containers. American Glass Packaging Coalition
about ill-founded beliefs that plastic can serve as a (AGPC) counsel and Wiley Rein international trade
“weapon” against coronavirus. This warning follows practice partner Daniel Pickard said: “The US glass
the decision by the UK's Department of Environment, container industry is grateful that the Department of
Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to delay the upcoming ban Commerce continues to recognise the numerous
on plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds until subsidies Chinese producers receive to produce
October, due to the ongoing pandemic. “Corporate merchandise at unfair prices. “This determination
brings the US industry one step closer to competing in a
lobbyists are using public anxiety about Covid-19 to
fair environment.” AGPC is a coalition of producers of
promote their business agenda,” said the group,
food and beverage glass packaging containers. The
adding that ceding to lobbyist pressure could expose
petitions alleged that the imports have damaged the US
vulnerable people to the effects of other crises, such as
glass container industry materially.
climate change and plastic pollution.The letter added:
“Only a rigid adherence to the best available science
will see mankind overcome Covid-19. Now more than
ever before world leaders must employ the same cool
hard logic when it comes to protecting the
environment from some of the worst excesses of big
business.” The group warned that “trashing the
environment won't solve the Covid-19 crisis. But across
the world, industry is using the pandemic as a cover
story to block urgently-needed legislation to protect
people and planet.” Additionally, the letter noted the
increasing amount of evidence that raises concerns
about the impact of plastic on health . According to the
letter, the Association's plea contradicts “a wealth of
Last month, the US DOC revealed the initial finding of
evidence” which supports the bans against plastic
the antidumping duty (AD) investigation, 'affirmative
bags.
preliminary determination', which reveals that Chinese
producers dumped glass containers in the US and
allotted up to 255.68% AD duty rate. The department
has scheduled its final determination in the companion
AD case for 11 September 2020.It filed antidumping and
CVD petitions over unfairly priced imports from China
on 25 September 2019. The department, which is also
investigating dumping of glass containers from China,
said imports of glass containers from China were valued
at an estimated $370.8 million in 2018. It is slated to
make a final determination in the dumping case on
September 11, 2020.

MAY 2020 20 Plastics News