ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY BALLOONS

That this House notes that between 2015 and 2016 there was a 50 per cent rise in beach litter; is highly concerned about the amount of plastic and non-biodegradable manmade matter in the oceans; further notes that even balloons sold as biodegradable can take years to break down and can cause permanent harm to animals who ingest them or are trapped by them, and the environment; and therefore proposes a ban on the release of balloons and lanterns into the air as they contribute to environmental damage.