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.”