The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions says the Government's ban on most asbestos importation is better late than never.

Environment Minister Nick Smith announced the ban earlier in the week.

CTU secretary, Sam Huggard said the ban has been a long time coming.

"Unions have been calling on this for a number of years. They're following Australia's lead and England's lead. Those countries have moved ahead of New Zealand a long time ago."

However, he said the Government "could have gone stronger" and banned all asbestos products.

Asbestos is one of the biggest causes of work-fatalities in New Zealand, causing lung cancer and other health problems.