Distiller joins bottle scheme with ‘gun to our heads’
Some local alcohol producers are saying they felt forced to sign up to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), despite concerns about its feasibility.
On Wednesday March 1 the minister for circular economy, Lorna Slater, told Holyrood that 664 producers, responsible for 90 per cent of drinks containers sold in Scotland, had registered.
Many MSPs and producers disputed this, contending that less than 20 per cent of Scotland’s 4,000 producers had enlisted before the deadline.
Producers had until Wednesday February 28 to register with Circularity Scotland and SEPA to ensure they can sell drinks in most single-use containers after Wednesday August 16.
Emma Macalister Hall, director of Beinn An Tuirc Distillers, said: “We did end up registering, at pretty much the zero hour on Tuesday, with what felt like a gun to our heads. The threat of not being able to sell our products in Scotland, our biggest market, was too great.”
Anthony Wills, managing director of Islay’s Kilchoman Distillery, said: “The scheme needs to be paused and more thought needs to go into how it’s implemented to make it workable for producers and retailers.” SNP leadership candidates have called for the scheme to be altered or curtailed, but Argyll SNP MSP Jenni Minto said: “It is important for the DRS to go ahead under the current timescale, however, it is important that the scheme gets it right.
“Whilst I am pleased to see most large producers have signed up for the scheme, it is essential the relevant authorities work closely with all the small producers which have expressed concerns, to ensure that the scheme is right for everyone.”
Mrs Macalister Hall argued for a pause, raising concerns about “cash flow, surcharges, the closed loop system, the threat of a UK trade barrier, admin and the impact on consumer pricing”.
The UK and Scottish governments dispute when Holyrood applied for an exemption from the UK Internal Market Act.
Ms Slater claimed an exemption had been sought in July 2021, but Whitehall argued a formal request was only made on Monday.
Ariane Burgess, Scottish Greens MSP for Highlands and Islands, said: “I’m confident it will be launched in August. The producers of more than 90 per cent of the waste to be covered by the scheme – more than two billion recyclable containers – have already signed up.
“This is a phenomenal registration rate, and shows a huge vote of confidence in Scotland’s DRS.
“It’s right that the focus now is on supporting the smaller firms that have not yet signed up.”