ND1019113

Title: Irish Retailers Call Bag Tax ?Unnecessary?

Description: Opponents propose voluntary methods instead of a government mandate to ease the burden on retailers such a tax would incur.

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BELFAST, Northern Ireland ? Irish retailers are reeling from news of the proposed tax on plastic bags, the Belfast Telegraph reports. Such a levy would seriously harm an already fragile sector, said CBI Northern Ireland, a business organization.

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The Department of the Environment proposals are ?unnecessary, badly timed, and will create a significant administrative burden on all retailers,? said the CBI Northern Ireland, which proposes instead a voluntary approach. CBI suggestions include not having the initial fee be more than 5p per plastic bag and staying off implementation until April 2013.�

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Also against a plastic bag tax are the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the British Hospitality Association and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association. The ACS?s concern is that the tax would disproportionately impact smaller shops.

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?The proposals will apply to both plastic and paper bags which is not fully recognized by all the 6,400 retail businesses in Northern Ireland,? said Nigel Smyth, director of CBI Northern Ireland. ?Clear government guidance will be essential and this must be communicated effectively to retailers.?

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?The sustainability of the local retail sector is under real threat,? added Stephen Cammon, managing director of Menarys, a department store. ?The levy should not be introduced until there is at least some green shoots of recovery across the retail sector.?

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Content Subject: International

Formatted Article Date: October 19, 2011

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