The Committee for the Environment at Stormont has secured a delay to the introduction of new charges for carrier bags to allow more time to communicate the changes to the public.
The Committee has just published its report on the Carrier Bags Bill, which will introduce the second phase of charging for carrier bags, extending the 5p levy to the cheaper versions of reusable bags in order to address concerns that these bags will become the new “throwaway” bag.
This follows the first phase of charging for carrier bags which came into effect in April last and introduced a 5p charge for single-use carrier bags.
Committee chairperson Anna Lo said “initial evidence” suggested the first phase of carrier bag charging had led to a “significant decrease” in the number of plastic bags in circulation.
“While the Committee was examining the Bill, however, Members were concerned that the Department’s proposed implementation date for the second phase of charging – April 2014 – was too soon.
“They felt that it did not give the Department enough time to prepare the public for these new charging arrangements. In addition, Members felt that the Department needed more time to gather clear evidence on how the first phase of charging has impacted on retailers, particularly smaller retailers, and on people’s shopping habits.”
Representatives from the major supermarkets also told the Committee a longer lead-in period would give them more time to get ready for putting the new arrangements in place.
In response to the Committee’s concerns, the Department has now given an assurance that it will amend the Bill and delay further charges until at least January 2015.
Ms Lo said it was hoped the later implementation date would give the Department time to deliver a clear communications strategy to the public.
She concluded: “The last thing we want is for shoppers to be confused: they need clear, straightforward information on exactly which types of bags will be subject to the levy and what they will cost at the checkout.”
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