31/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - France bans use of single-use plastic bags. From 1 July 2016, throw-away plastic bags will no longer be available at shop checkouts in France under a decree published in the French Official Journal on 31 March. In a press release, Environment Minister Ségolène Royal said she wanted to reduce the huge impact on the environment connected with the manufacture and distribution of single-use plastic bags. EU legislation aims to cut the use of these light single-use plastic bags by half by 2019 and by at least 80% by 2025, as they pollute the EU's oceans and seas (Directive EU 2015/720 of 29 April 2015 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste with regard to reducing the use of light plastic bags). The directive, which is be transposed into national legislation by 27 November 2016, leaves member states to choose their own methods. (AN)