Responding to DOE Minister, Mark H Durkin’s statement that Carrier Bag usage is down, the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has called upon the Minister to withdraw plans to increase the levy to 10p.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “It is clearly positive that some retailers have reported a reduction in Carrier Bag usage but these are by no means comprehensive figures and do not include returns from independent retailers”
“If according to the Minister this levy is so successful at 5p per bag, then clearly there is no need to raise to 10p which will create even more expense for hard pressed consumers”
“NIIRTA would urge Minister Durkin to consider moving to the Welsh system, where local retailers decide on what local projects the levy raised from their own store will benefit.”
