The Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags (Scotland) Bill was put forward last year suggesting a levy of around 10p on plastic bags given out by retailers (see letsrecycle.com story). But in recent weeks the measure has not won support from the Parliament's environment committee.
– Mike Pringle MSP
Mr Pringle, who represents the Edinburgh South constituency in Scotland's Parliament, said with a unanimous rejection of the measure by the committee, there “isn't a hope of getting enough votes for it in Parliament” at this point in time.
Nevertheless, Mr Pringle told letsrecycle.com this afternoon that his hopes for firm measures to reduce the number of bags given out free to shoppers are “absolutely not” over.
Minister
He said his decision to withdraw the Bill had come because he had persuaded environment minister Ross Finnie to take action on the subject of carrier bags nationally.
In a separate statement made today, Mr Finnie did indeed pledge to look at the issue of bags within the Scottish Executive's waste minimisation strategy, which is to be published later this year (see letsrecycle.com story).
Mr Pringle said: “Ross agreed that he will be addressing the position within the waste minimisation strategy being published soon. But, if I'm not satisfied the minister has tackled this seriously, I will be forced to re-introduce my Bill and the Scottish Parliament would then have to consider this legislation.”
Tax
The Liberal Democrat MSP, who is also leading calls within his Party for a waste-reducing packaging deposit scheme in Scotland (see letsrecycle.com story), said that “no voluntary scheme has ever worked anywhere in the world” regarding the reduction of plastic carrier bags.
He suggested that if any moves within the waste minimisation strategy were to fail, Scotland could be forced to “go down the Irish route” and introduce a full-scale national plastic bag tax.
Commenting on the withdrawal of Mr Pringle's Bill today, Scotland's environment minister Ross Finnie said the Executive would continue to work to reduce the consumption of plastic bags.
“We are committed to waste prevention and we are currently developing an ambitious waste prevention plan for Scotland which will look at the issues around bags. That will published by the end of the year,” the minister said.
Voluntary code
Mr Finnie welcomed Mr Pringle's involvement in raising awareness about the environment impacts of plastic and paper bags and urged retailers to sign up to a voluntary code being developed by the Executive along with Defra in England.
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“I would strongly urge retailers to sign up to the voluntary code and I'd; expect to see progress shortly. If agreement cannot be reached, then legislation may have to be considered,” Mr Finnie added.
The Executive insisted that a voluntary code in Australia had “succeeded in reducing plastic bag use by 45%”. Retailers have already revealed their doubts about the proposals (see letsrecycle.com story).
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