Government senator Matthew Samuda says the government will not delay the impending ban on styrofoam, as this would be a retrograde step for the country.

His comment follows appeals from several businesses for an extension to the ban which comes into full effect on January 1, 2020.

Speaking in his state of the nation debate in the senate today, Senator Samuda said stakeholders had adequate time to prepare for the implementation of the ban.

Mr. Samuda noted that styrofoam contains carcinogens, is harmful to the environment and takes upwards of a thousand years to disintegrate.

He said not implementing the policy, would be a backward step.