In a meeting before the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee yesterday, 28 March, Dr Coffey explained that while Westminster is considering Scotland’s request to exempt the DRS from the Internal Markets Act, there is a “balance to be had”.
“The Scottish government has a different policy and I wait to see if the new first minister wishes to continue with the same policy and proposal of that scheme in Scotland. I am pleased that England and Northern Ireland are moving in- step, with Wales as well who want to do extra with glass.
“I think there is still an opportunity for a UK-wide scheme. We are going through the request made, but there is a balance here in understanding from new first minister whether or not this is a policy they want to do and whether they want to continue with that request for an exemption from the Internal Markets Act.”
Act
The application was submitted by the Scottish government on 6 March (see letsrecycle.com story).
Should the UK Government deny the request for an exemption this would mean that the DRS rules would only apply to drinks bottled in Scotland, putting Scottish producers at a disadvantage.
Later in the discussion, Coffey was asked if she foresees any issues with Scotland rolling out a scheme this August.
She responded that consumers “would like a UK-wide scheme and that is still open to the Scottish government if they wish to join that.”
Dr Coffey conceded that the SNP has “been elected with a particular DRS in their manifesto, but I am conscious of the cost concerns people have raised on the cost and supply of goods in Scotland.” She concluded that this is something the Scottish government will have to consider very carefully.
“For what it’s worth, I think the best outcome is to have the one scheme but so far the Scottish government has not chosen to do that,” she remarked.
Opposition
In the run up to winning the race to be Scottish first minister, Humza Yousaf had hinted about a delay to the DRS.
In an interview with the BBC he said if he was to be nominated he would exempt small retailers in the first year of the DRS.
So far however, the Scottish government is sticking by the scheme. Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said this week that the Scottish scheme has “inspired campaigns around Europe”.
The Scottish government has also reasoned that the DRS logistics partner Biffa is to invest £80 million in facilities to count, sort and process DRS material.
Humza Yousaf also met with the Scottish Green co-leaders this week, who are huge supporters of the scheme.
Delighted to meet @scottishgreens co-leaders @patrickharvie & @lornaslater at St Andrew's House this afternoon where we reaffirmed our support for the Bute House Agreement, which will maintain our pro-independence majority at 🏴 @ScotParl & deliver for the people of Scotland. pic.twitter.com/ZtV5IrZMIg
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) March 27, 2023
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