McArthur: I want a deposit return scheme, not a deposit return disaster

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has today called on the Scottish Government to pause its deposit return scheme after more than 600 producers warned that logistical challenges will not have been overcome by the government's proposed start date.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Mr McArthur raised these producer concerns and warned that in his own constituency of Orkney the logistical challenges of DRS are even greater.

In her response, minister Lorna Slater insisted that the scheme in Scotland will go live on the 16th of August this year, despite the warnings of these stakeholders.

Speaking after the exchange, Liam McArthur said:

"Scottish Liberal Democrats were the first party to call for a deposit return scheme and we have repeatedly urged the Scottish Government to learn from successful schemes elsewhere in Europe.

"Over the last year I have worked with many of the local stakeholders trying to get answers to questions they have on how this scheme will work in practice. Now it is clear those questions can't be answered in the timeframe set, I want to urge the Minister again to think about pausing the scheme to avoid damaging businesses, public confidence and even the case for DRS itself.

"I want a deposit return scheme, not a deposit return disaster."