EFTTA follows the EU plastics policy very carefully. Out of concern for the fish and flowing waters. And to safeguard the angling industry.
The Single-Use-Plastic Directive, also named ‘the SUP Directive’, took effect in June 2019. The aim is to reduce the impact of single-use products on the environment. The regulations apply to the single-use plastic products listed in the Annex, to products made from oxo-degradable plastic and to fishing gear containing plastic.
The EFTTA welcomes this directive as we are aware that the global pollution with plastic has to come to a halt. Despite that, we are very much aware that this will affect our industry during the years to come. Plastics are defined as polymers to which additives or other substances may have been added. That includes most fishing lines, hardbaits and softbaits.
The first draft from May 2018 made the tackle trade very nervous because plastic fishing lines and lures were included in the scope. The fear was that these tackle products would be banned. EFTTA strongly engaged in amending the directive in writing, one-to-one meetings with the Commission, and expert committee meetings. We were successful! Thanks to our efforts the current legislative text is no longer a significant threat to plastic tackle products. Even so, it remains essential to closely monitor this issue! Without our lobby work the use of plastic fishing-lines and baits would already have been prohibited!
=>The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is part of the SUP directive.
This environmental policy makes producers of fishing gear responsible for the entire life cycle of products. The EPR schemes differ from country to country. All the national EPR schemes must come into force by the end of 2024 at the latest.
EFTTA has lobbied this Directive since the very beginning of the process in 2018 and will continue doing so!
