LETTER: Desecration on a massive scale

SIR – Plastic degrades our countryside and strangles the wildlife when they go in search of food and it breaks down to micro beads in our oceans and is mistaken for food when its consumed by fish and sea mammals.

It is estimated that eight million tonnes of plastic enters our rivers and oceans annually. That is desecration on a massive scale. For far too long, our rivers seas and lakes have been used as dumping grounds for plastic and many other forms of waste. Ireland must give leadership by introducing a total ban on material that can degrade into micro plastic and, thus, seek to inspire other countries to do likewise. Politicians should take action to protect our natural world and enhance it always.

Regards, 

Noel Harrington, 

Scilly, 

Kinsale.