http://www.seas-at-risk.org/news_n2.php?page=667

MEPs vote to scrap wasteful single-use plastic bags

Brussels, 16th April 2014 - Seas At Risk welcomes today?s vote by the
European Parliament that will enable member states to ban plastic bags
and that sets a strong target of 80% reduction in usage within five years.

This is a good first step towards preventing these damaging and wasteful
items from entering our seas. The promotion of biodegradable bags,
however will damage the overall effectiveness of the measure in tackling
marine litter.

Public support for strong action at EU level is high - the Commission?s
public consultation in 2011 had over 15000 citizens responding, with 71%
agreed that a ban on single use plastics was desirable.