BASC calls for conservation focus on Scottish plastic bag charges

Phacelia by Chris Bright of Bright SeedsBASC has responded to a consultation on draft regulations for a plastic bags charging scheme in Scotland.

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BASC response

BASC has written to Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment as below.  A copy of this letter has also been sent as a consultation response.

Dear Cabinet Secretary,

I am writing to offer our assistance in drafting any guiding principles that will underpin the distribution of the proceeds from the proposed single use carrier bag charging regulations.

It is our understanding that government expects retailers to voluntarily give profits to good causes under the proposed charging scheme in Scotland.  While we see this having many benefits, we feel that the similar voluntary agreement between the Welsh Government and large retailers missed an opportunity to deliver, for example, conservation benefits to the whole of Scotland at a landscape scale.

We feel this could most easily be addressed by developing a set of principles that would better harness the efforts of the shooting community who are already involved in influencing the management of 70% of Scotland’s rural area.  BASC Scotland would welcome the opportunity to work with the Government as details of the scheme are agreed.

With best wishes, Yours sincerely,

Dr Colin Shedden
Director Scotland