PAFA and CBC threaten court action over plastic bags

PAFA chief executive David Tyson condemned the government's announcement that obligatory charging could come into force in 2009 as an "outrageous diversionary tactic" designed to focus attention away from its failures.

Chancellor Alistair Darling said in his Budget speech yesterday (12 March) that supermarkets could be forced to charge for carrier bags "if we have not seen progress on a voluntary basis".

But Tyson criticised the government's "u-turn", and the Prime Minister, for seizing the "opportunity to use spin rather than science for political opportunism".

"They think we are an easy target, but we are not. We intend to give them a fight because we can prove that our products, if wisely used and responsibly recycled, are the best choice consumers can make.

"We are prepared to mount a challenge through the highest courts in Europe," he said.

The announcement was also criticised by the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The BRC accused the chancellor of "green tax gimmickry" to take more money from hard-pressed businesses and consumers.

Director general Stephen Robinson said: "Huge progress has been made [on carrier bag reduction] without any need for legislation. By setting a date, the government appears to have jumped to a verdict already, abandoning their agreement."

"Retailers take their environmental responsibilities very seriously, but want policies that are based on clear evidence, rather than knee-jerk reactions to highly emotive campaigns."

BPF director general Peter Davis attacked the chancellor for "ignoring his own government's figures" that showed 70% to 80% of bags were reused.

"Even [environment secretary] Hilary Benn admits the carbon footprint of plastic carrier bags is minimal," said Davis.

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