11th January 2005

FoE insists Eco-contribution should leave alternatives

Friends of the Earth (Malta) welcomes the decision to revise the eco-contribution on plastic bags, but stresses that lack of consultation is giving eco-taxes a bad name.

The turn-around on the rate of eco-contribution for plastic bags is a very big step in the right direction and should make a major contribution to improving Malta's environment. The ministry for the environment should however have ensured that degradable and biodegradable bags were available in sufficient quantities before introducing the tax on the new products.

Friends of the Earth opposes any eco-tax that does not allow consumers to purchase environmentally friendly alternatives at lower tax rates or without a tax. If fridges, mobile phones or computers are to be taxed, or computer accessories then the ones that are most environmentally friendly should not carry a tax. That is a fundamental principle of eco-taxation which should be revenue neutral and encourage changes in people's consumption patterns. Leaving civil society out of consultations goes against the spirit of solidarity and the spirit and letter of the Aarhus Convention of which Malta is a signatory. Friends of the Earth cannot understand why, following so much criticism for lack of consultation last year when the first eco-contributions were introduced, the government failed to consult this time round too.

Additionally, FoE notes that the existing number of bring in sites will not be able to cope with the increased demand as a result of the tax on garbage bags.

Friends of the Earth would also like to recognise that despite the mistakes the current ministry is attempting to tackle problems when many before it shirked their responsibilities. For that, the ministry should be congratulated.