BOLTON Euro MP Chris Davies may sincerely believe that a carrier bag tax would be good for the environment (November 2), but the opposite is likely to be the case.

Rigorous environmental audit, as opposed to "feel good" environmentalism, will demonstrate that, across a full life cycle, the thin, lightweight plastic carrier is one of the best environmental choices we can make. It uses minimal raw materials and energy in manufacture, less fuel and energy in transportation (and therefore creates less damaging exhaust emissions) than heavier alternatives, takes less storage space and, according to the Government's own statistics, is re-used by 80 per cent of households for everything from bin liners to sports bags and the collecting of dog droppings.

Nor is it true that plastic bags are a major contributor to our litter problem -- the original premise for the recently introduced Irish Tax. In fact, plastic carrier bags are estimated to comprise less than one per cent of our street litter. What the public have not been told about the ban in Ireland is that there has been a massive increase in the sale of plastic bags for bin liners and refuse disposal (so more plastic is being sold, not less), an increase in the theft of wire and plastic shopping baskets by those not prepared to pay the tax, and an increase in theft of goods from the shelves, made easier by shoppers bringing their own bags into stores.

So why advocate a ban? Would it be too cynical to suggest that this proposal might after all just be another stealth tax with no real benefit to the environment nor indeed anyone except the Exchequer?

We do not think your readers will be fooled by this tax disguised as an environmental initiative. If in doubt, they can get a more realistic view of the damage a carrier bag tax would bring by visiting www.carrierbagtax.com

Jim Pugh

Chief Executive

Packaging and Industrial Films Association

Mayfair Court, Nottingham