28/2/2008

Wales is considering a ban or levy on plastic carrier bags.

Marks and Spencer's move to charge food shoppers 5p for its food carrier bags was welcomed as a move in the right direction by the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, today.

Representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government were meeting colleagues from DEFRA and other bodies today to
discuss the progress and next steps of a voluntary retailer agreement to reduce the environmental impact of carrier bags.

Jane Davidson said the Assembly Government has been concerned about plastic carrier bags for some time.

The Assembly Government signed up to a voluntary code with the retail industry in February 2007.

Ms Davidson said: "The voluntary code which we and the other UK administrations signed up to was just the start and I have been keeping a close eye on development.

"So today's announcement that Marks and Spencer will charge 5p for food carrier bags at all its Welsh and UK stores from the beginning of May is a welcome move which I hope the other major retailers will follow.

"As Minister with responsibility for waste and the environment I laid a proposed draft Legislative Competence Order on Environmental Protection and Waste Management before the National Assembly for Wales in June last year.

"This may allow the Assembly to consider a ban or levy on plastic bags, should it decide that course of action to be appropriate in the future.

"But action by the big shopping chains like Marks and Spencer shows that they are taking the matter seriously and I look forward to future developments in the retail sector.

"I will continue to monitor developments and once the LCO on Environment and Waste Management is finalised I will be considering and consulting on a range of possible
environmental initiatives."