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Plastic harms oceans more than anything else: EU official

Xinhua, April 26, 2017 Adjust font size:

Plastic is harming oceans more than anything else, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said at an informal meeting of Environment Ministers on Wednesday.

By the year 2050, unless something is done, there will be more plastic in oceans than fish. About 70 percent of plastic products produced ends up in the oceans, he added.

He mentioned the EU Commission are working on a document on waste management to be ready by end of 2017 linked to the concept of circular economy and by the end of the year a plastics strategy will be developed.

He stated that the cost of clean-ups and degrading environment are significant concerns that must factor into discussions and decisions, the monitoring of greenhouse emissions in shipping sector is also on the agenda.

He added that it was crucial to take action to reduce use of plastic, and that marine litter is a global issue that the EU commits to work internationally to address. Endit