How everyone’s backing Mail campaign

George Eustace and Rory Stewart, have suggested the UK may impose a unilateral ban.

The environment department Defra said last night: ‘We are absolutely committed to protecting the world’s seas, oceans and marine life from pollution.

‘Many leading manufacturers have already taken voluntary steps to remove microbeads from cosmetics, beauty products and toothpastes. We will now consider what further action is appropriate.’

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association argues voluntary measures are more effective than legislation. However, critics say the industry’s promises are riddled with loopholes.

Companies are taking the beads out of exfoliants and scrubs by 2020, but there is no industry commitment to take them out of all other products like shaving gels, toothpaste and deodorants. LEADING figures from a range of fields yesterday threw their weight behind the Mail’s campaign to ban the beads.

Support flooded in from across the political spectrum, echoed by voices in showbusiness and environmental campaigners.

MARY CREAGH MP, who chairs the Commons environmental audit committee, said she was ‘delighted the Daily Mail is joining my committee’s call on the Government to ban this rubbish from cosmetics’.

She added that ‘microbeads are polluting the oceans and entering the food chain’.

And CAROLINE LUCAS, Green Party MP, said: ‘A ban on damaging microbeads can’t come too soon and it’s good to see the Mail recognises the urgency of the issue.

‘These tiny plastic particles are totally unnecessary and need a big campaign to get the Government to immediately banish them for good.’ SANDRA HOWARD, Baroness Howard of Lympne and wife of Michael Howard, is concerned about the plastic in the food we eat.

The author and former model said: ‘Fish is my favourite food... It seems absurd that we are pouring plastic into the sea, with the risk of contaminating the fish we eat.

‘I applaud the Mail for this campaign. I for one will be avoiding [microbeads] in future.’ Radio 4 broadcaster JENNI MURRAY went even further, and immediately threw away items containing microbeads after admitting she previously had ‘no idea how dangerous’ they were.

She said that when she found out, she ‘promptly went to the bathroom and found two containers of shower gel – both expensive gifts, both containing the offending beads.

‘I threw them out unopened. I’m now checking the ingredients of every product to make sure I don’t add to the pollution.’

Similarly, EMMA SOAMES was unaware of the dangers posed by microbeads, but now says she is ‘very eager to join this campaign’.

The editor-at-large of Saga magazine confessed that she had not made the link between ocean pollution and ‘what I use on my face’.

Greenpeace uK has also created a campaign to banish the microbeads which had gained 350,000 signatures last night – highlighting the public desire to cleanse our oceans of plastics.

its director JOHN SAUVEN said: ‘it’s great to see the Mail calling for action on this.

‘Now theresa May’s Government needs to take leadership and ban microbeads to protect both consumers and our oceans.’

Other MPs to join the call included leader of the Liberal Democrats TIM FARRON. Praising the Mail’s initiative, he added: ‘We were proud to introduce a charge on plastic bags which has proven so effective. this is another sensible measure which helps protect our environment.’

And tory ZAC GOLDSMITH stated that there is ‘no good reason’ to delay a ban on the pollutants. He said: ‘Most consumers would be appalled to learn that a single shower can release tens of thousands of plastic microbeads.’

Former Blue Peter presenter JANET ELLIS also put her name to our campaign, and said she now ‘avoids microbeads like the plague’ in beauty products.

Others who pledged their support include health and beauty editor at Hello! magazine NADINE BAGGOTT, and charities THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS and FRIENDS OF THE EARTH.