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Date for plastic bag charge due Plastic bag charges by May 2011
(about 8 hours later)
Details of when compulsory charges for plastic carrier bags will be introduced in Wales are expected to be announced. Compulsory charges for plastic carrier bags will be introduced in Wales before May 2011, it has been confirmed.
Environment Minister Jane Davidson is also due to explain how the money raised will be spent. The charge for single-use bags has not yet been decided, but it is expected to be between 5p and 15p.
Wales will become the first nation in the UK to introduce charging for one-trip carrier bags in an attempt to curb their use. Wales will become the first nation in the UK to introduce charging for one-trip carrier bags to curb their use.
Environment Minister Jane Davidson said she would seek voluntary agreements with large retailers to direct the proceeds to environmental causes.
It will be introduced before the next assembly election.
An estimated 480m carrier bags are used in Wales each year and it takes 500 to 1,000 years for them to degrade.An estimated 480m carrier bags are used in Wales each year and it takes 500 to 1,000 years for them to degrade.
The Welsh Assembly Government has used powers provided to it under the Climate Change Act to introduce the compulsory charge. The Welsh Assembly Government is using powers provided to it under the Climate Change Act to introduce the compulsory charge.
However, it has not been provided with powers to say where the money should go.However, it has not been provided with powers to say where the money should go.
We are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups Vivienne Sugar, Consumer Focus WalesWe are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups Vivienne Sugar, Consumer Focus Wales
The charge for single-use bags is expected to be between 5p and 15p.
During the consultation, concerns were raised about how funds from the charges would be used and how it would affect sections of society.During the consultation, concerns were raised about how funds from the charges would be used and how it would affect sections of society.
"We are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups," said Consumer Focus Wales chair Vivienne Sugar."We are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups," said Consumer Focus Wales chair Vivienne Sugar.
It is expected Ms Davidson will choose a voluntary approach, where companies sign up to pass on the proceeds of the charges to environmental projects. Ms Davidson told AMs she would pursue a voluntary approach with large retailers, where companies would sign up to pass on the proceeds of the charges to environmental projects.
Ms Sugar said: "We also feel that in order for consumers to be confident this charge is used effectively for the benefit of the environment, the use of an independent body to administer the money is key.Ms Sugar said: "We also feel that in order for consumers to be confident this charge is used effectively for the benefit of the environment, the use of an independent body to administer the money is key.
"We recognise that Welsh ministers do not currently have the power to say where any money raised from a charge should go, and strongly urge that current plans to change the law in this regard are prioritised.""We recognise that Welsh ministers do not currently have the power to say where any money raised from a charge should go, and strongly urge that current plans to change the law in this regard are prioritised."
Single-use carrier bags are seen by some as an environmental problem and a waste of resources.Single-use carrier bags are seen by some as an environmental problem and a waste of resources.
Ms Davidson has said: "Wales is taking the lead by looking at how we can further reduce the amount of single-use carrier bags and how we can encourage more people to re-use bags."Ms Davidson has said: "Wales is taking the lead by looking at how we can further reduce the amount of single-use carrier bags and how we can encourage more people to re-use bags."
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) says that customers should be encouraged to change, and not "clobbered" with new "taxes".The British Retail Consortium (BRC) says that customers should be encouraged to change, and not "clobbered" with new "taxes".