Deposit Return Scheme (Drink Industry Supply Chain)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 22 February 2023.

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Photo of Sharon Dowey Sharon Dowey Conservative

3. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential impact on the drink industry supply chain of the introduction of the deposit return scheme. (S6O-01902)

Photo of Lorna Slater Lorna Slater Green

I have kept ministerial colleagues updated with developments during the implementation process. Most recently, earlier this month, I sent a letter to all MSPs that provided a comprehensive update ahead of the launch of the United Kingdom’s first deposit return scheme. I will continue to keep Parliament up to date as we head towards the go-live date in August.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

I ask Sharon Dowey to adjust her microphone slightly before she comes back in.

Photo of Sharon Dowey Sharon Dowey Conservative

I have spoken to rural businesses, which have raised concerns about the 24 substantial steps that are required to register for the deposit return scheme. The first step requires businesses to sign up to a three-year legal commitment, which will significantly change their operations and could even bankrupt them. If businesses fail to sign up by next week, they risk no longer being able to sell in Scotland, which could significantly impact the rural supply chain. Will the minister engage with those businesses to limit the impact on the rural supply chain and ask her Cabinet colleagues to listen to and address those concerns?

Photo of Lorna Slater Lorna Slater Green

I am taking very seriously the concerns that small producers have raised, as the member will note from the significant intervention for all producers, with a focus on small producers’ needs, that was announced on Tuesday—an increase in cash flow and simplification of labelling for small quantities.

Tomorrow, I will meet small producers again to see what else we can put on the table to help them to comply with the legislation. I would encourage all producers to begin their registration process with Circularity Scotland by the deadline of the end of this month.