Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent microfibre plastic pollution.

I know of the hon. Member’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution, and in particular the issue of microfibres, where he has ably chaired an All-Party Parliamentary Group. Following the report of that APPG, Defra commissioned a rapid evidence assessment to understand the potential impact of this proposal.

Along with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, we are reviewing the assessment report, and considering what action, if any, is appropriate.