Open letter to Robin Currie

Dear Mr Robin Currie,

I am the chairman of Glenorchy and Innishail Community Council. We have been discussing the proposed Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS), particularly as it affects our local village shops and its outcome in rural areas generally.

We are sure the idea of DRS meets with approval throughout Scotland, but we are equally sure many are unaware of the potentially damaging effect the scheme will almost certainly have on rural communities, their livelihood and the rural economy.

DRS in Scotland is a very ambitious, wideranging scheme. It is unfunded and relies totally on the registration of the distributors of recyclable material with SEPA. The crucial details of how refunds will be reimbursed to retailers, the level of service charges and the frequency of materials being collected, not only seem vague but also are under the control of the distributors without government regulation or voluntary agreement.

We have met with Michael Russell MSP in our local shop, the Dalmally Stores, and raised ours and the shopkeeper's concerns. Mr Russell wrote to Roseanna Cunningham on our behalf, but the Scottish Government's response is clearly to proceed with the legislation with minimal amendment. It seems to be that the government's attitude is they are going to push on regardless and ‘do it well'. It is our opinion that they are certainly not going to ‘do it well'.

Mr Colin Harvey, our Dalmally shopkeeper, has made it clear that any effect of DRS on his cash flow or his inability to store material through lack of space will force him to close for good. We are sure this is reflected in many rural and island settlements in Argyll. It would be a positive step forward if the proposed exemption rules were changed allowing smaller businesses to be exempt, either by the size of community they serve, or by virtue of the size of premises from which they operate, both quite simple measures on which to legislate. We are also concerned to note that DRS is being promoted as a cash scheme, this has been dropped in all other countries in favour of cashless or voucher schemes to combat petty crime and addiction. We would urge you to support our concerns. John Kerr.