News
Microbeads to be scrubbed out at last?
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it is delighted to hear that the UK Government is considering a ban on the use of microbeads in cosmetics and other products following many years of campaigning by MCS, their partners and supporters.
The Environment Minister Rory Stewart told the Commons last week: “If we cannot get a common position out of the European Union, we are open to the possibility of the UK acting unilaterally.” This followed a call for a possible EU-wide ban by the European Commission, made by Caroline Bearder MEP, that narrowly failed to achieve sufficient support from MEPs.
Carrie Hume, MCS Director of Conservation and Campaigns says: “MCS wholeheartedly welcomes this announcement. It is timely and shows leadership on the government’s part. Given how clear and alarming the evidence is, the UK can and should lead the way.”
Over more than twenty years, MCS has gathered data that illustrates the nature of the growing quantities of litter that are accumulating in our seas.
The charity has run public awareness campaigns, such as Scrub It Out, detailing how plastics have entered the seas and giving the public, industry and government the tools to reduce this.
MCS has spent many years of advocacy across the UK and at EU level, to influence policies on plastics where they are damaging the seas.
MCS has worked with a range of key players, most recently directly working with and through Greenpeace, Fauna and Flora International, Beat the Microbead and the Enviornmental Investigation Agency to secure a ban on the inclusion of microbeads in personal care products.
Carrie Hume continues: “This is a great step, which recognises the power of the coalition we are working in, and the supporters we all represent who demand these harmful ingredients be taken out.”
To find out more about the Marine Conservation Society visit www.mcsuk.org.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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