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Written question asked by Ellie Chowns (Green Party) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Friday, 4 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Microplastics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made (a) of the risks to human health and wildlife posed by microplastics and (b) the extent to which artificial grass and pitches contribute to the level of microplastics entering surface water and rivers.

Answer

Defra carried out a research project on intentionally added microplastics and published an Option Appraisal on 12 May 2025. This project assessed the impacts of intentionally added microplastics emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the environment, and included a socio-economic assessment of different policy options, including restricting primary microplastics in line with the EU.

Defra welcomed the findings of the report, which provides important analysis of the UK-specific emissions of, and policy options for, intentionally added microplastics, and which recognised artificial grass sports pitches as an important source.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24592
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Health hazards Fires Water Rivers Microplastics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk