July 1 deadline for bag levy too rushed, say legislators
Lawmakers voiced concern yesterday over whether they had sufficient time to scrutinise the plastic bag levy regulations, given the government has set its sights on introducing the charge on July 1.
Under the administration's schedule, a Legislative Council subcommittee, which is now studying the regulations, will have to complete its work by the middle of next month so that the regulations can be gazetted in mid-April if the July 1 date is to be met.
This means lawmakers will have just a few weeks to study the regulations in detail. The regulations set out the rules, registration and reporting requirements for the selected retailers who will collect the 50 HK cent levy on each plastic bag.
'It is too rushed and you just can't expect us to endorse the regulations with our eyes closed,' said Gary Chan Hak-kan of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong at the subcommittee's first meeting yesterday.
Democratic Party legislator Lee Wing-tat urged the government to do all it could to speed up the introduction of the levy.
'People will still have to shop and eat even amid the financial crisis, and the levy will have no impact on the retailers' business. There is no excuse for delay,' he said.
Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau Tang-wah said the government would keep its promise to introduce the levy in July but urged lawmakers to work on a 'tighter schedule' to make the levy a success.
'I believe we can do it, but the lawmakers might have ... to increase the frequency of meetings,' he said.
Wellcome, one of 18 retailers pledging to launch a 'No Plastic Bag Day' every day from March 3, yesterday said reusable bags would be given to customers who bought designated products until March 19.
