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Retail NI’s comments came after Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland’s Minister at the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announced the fivefold price rise.
Glyn Roberts, Retail NI’s chief executive said that although his association supported reducing plastic packaging it felt that the increase was too much.
He said: “Northern Ireland already has one of the most extensive carrier bag levies in the UK, covering single use and plastic which has led to a reduction in carrier bag usage by 73.2% (1.5 billion bags).
“Retail NI argued for the current 5p charge to be increased to a more realistic figure of 10p in line with what is being proposed in England and Scotland”
“We believe this excessive 500% increase will disproportionally impact on low-income families at time of huge economic turmoil with Covid-19, high energy bills and increases in National Insurance.”
Retail NI have asked for an immediate meeting with the minister to discuss the proposals.
