National welcomes ban on microbeads

National Party Environment Spokesperson Scott Simpson has welcomed the Government’s confirmation it will continue with the previous Government’s ban on microbeads.

“Microbeads pose a high risk to our aquatic and marine environments. They are too small to retrieve or recycle, do not biodegrade and are mistaken by marine life for food, causing long-term damage.

“The previous Government announced in August that microbeads would be banned early next year and I am pleased to see the new Government stick to that pledge.

“This ban is part of a global initiative to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in oceans, following similar initiatives in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and Australia.

“The previous National-led Government had a strong track record of taking practical steps to improve New Zealand’s natural environment and I look forward to seeing the new Government build on those efforts.”

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