National welcomes ban on microbeads
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.”