SMALL businesses are to fight a bid to introduce a tax on plastic bags in the city.

The city council has pledged to investigate whether it can introduce a tax of up to 10p as part of plans for a plastic-bag-free city.

But the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) claims the move would hit its members the hardest and claimed it is the big supermarkets that should be targeted.

Graham Russell, chairman of the Edinburgh branch of the FSB, believes that smaller traders already self-regulate their usage because of the amount it costs them to provide bags.

"Small businesses are responsible people," he said.

"There needs to be a restriction on plastic bag use - and I support that - but it can't be the responsibility of the retailers to charge customers for them.

"The big supermarkets are responsible for the vast majority of plastic bag use andthey put them at the end of checkouts and allow customers to take armfuls.

"Small businesses don't hand them out willy-nilly. It's a very expensive business to hand out bags, so they pack the bags themselves and make sure it is done effectively."

The FSB's call was supported by Peter Woodall, a spokesman for the Carrier Bag Consortium.

He said: "All retailers have to pay for bags and, in a highly competitive trading environment, all businesses have to self-regulate and bring costs to a minimum.

"The administrative burden of a tax on plastic bags would be a nightmare for all businesses across Edinburgh.

"Politicians are using this as greenwash now."

Green Councillor Alison Johnstone, who lodged the motion for the council to report on her proposals to make the city plastic-bag free, said she had support from traders in her Tollcross ward.

She added: "I fully intend to speak to the four main supermarkets and get their thoughts on this.

"I know that this can work and can be a success. Who would have ever thought that we would have had a smoking ban in Scotland? We need to raise awareness of the environmental costs of these bags and charging for them can help to make it hit home."

Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle has already said he wants to revive his parliamentary Bill to introduce a 10p tax on plastic bags if there is proof that the big supermarkets have not done enough to cut their usage.

He said: "Eighty per cent of bags are handed out by supermarkets and they are a lot more responsible for the problems.

"But if you do anything, you have to do it across the board, and all supermarkets and retailers have to take more responsibility."

A city council spokesman said: "A report is being prepared following Cllr Johnstone's motion and will be presented at a future council meeting."

Town votes to back ban on plastic
RESIDENTS and businesses in North Berwick have given overwhelming support to a proposal to get rid of plastic bags in the town.

Business groups distributed 5000 questionnaires to gauge feelings on the issue, and 98 per cent of respondents agreed that there should be a campaign to ban the bags.

The move, which would see North Berwick become Scotland's first plastic bag-free town, had already won the backing of more than 50 businesses.

Kathy Crawford, chairman of the North Berwick and District Business Association, said: "To be given support like this has exceeded our expectations. With a response rate of 98 per cent in favour of banning plastic bags, we have won the hearts and minds of colleagues and residents.

"The task of introducing alternatives to plastic bags for businesses in the town and organising funding and promotion will now start, but how wonderful to know that North Berwick backs the ban."

Discussions with shops and other businesses will continue but it is hoped action can begin in December.