Vol. 566 No. 2
199 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the assessment he has undertaken of the litter problem created by chewing gum; and the measures which he has under consideration which would reduce or eliminate this problem. [12532/03]
Initial results from the national litter pollution monitoring system published by my Department in February 2002 showed that food litter accounted for 11% of all litter pollution, with chewing gum comprising almost 70% of food litter items. More comprehensive data produced by the system will be published shortly by my Department and will confirm that chewing gum is a significant element in litter pollution.
Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with the local authorities. Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter, including in relation to the problem posed by chewing gum.
An Agreed Programme for Government provides that consideration will be given to the extension of the levy on plastic bags to other areas. Final decisions have not yet been taken on products to be targeted as a priority in this regard.
