Katrine Bussey

New laws to try to curb the use of plastic bags may be introduced in Scotland, environment secretary Richard Lochhead said today.

Mr Lochhead said if a voluntary agreement reached with retailers did not produce results, ministers would look at taking further action.

More than one billion bags were used in Scotland last year.

And Mr Lochhead spoke out on the issue as Marks & Spencer began charging food customers 5p for a single use plastic carrier bag, with the profits from the carriers going to various environmental charities.

He praised the store for its initiative and said: "This is an excellent example of how a retailer can help cut down the number of single-use carrier bags by its customers."

The environment secretary added: "It is very encouraging to see major retailers adopting measures to protect Scotland's environment.

"Reducing the unnecessary use of plastic bags is crucial if we are going to achieve a zero waste society in Scotland."

He urged shoppers to play their part and said: "We must all reuse and recycle bags as much as possible and whenever we're at the checkout ask ourselves the question - do I need a bag?"' And he said: "If the voluntary agreement doesn't produce results then we will have to look again at further action, including considering legislation."

Earlier this year Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle re-launched a Member's Bill that aims to introduce a 10p charge on plastic bags.

He withdrew his previous Member's Bill in 2006 after the voluntary agreement, reached under the previous Scottish Executive, set supermarkets the challenge of taking action on the issue by the end of 2008.

However, Mr Pringle, the MSP for Edinburgh South, has now put the proposals forward once more, stating: "Frankly I don't think the supermarkets have addressed the problem."

Tory environment spokesman John Scott welcomed the move by Marks & Spencer to start charging food shoppers for bags.

The Conservative MSP said: "It is the right response to growing consumer concern about the environment and their desire to take individual action.

"Much more can be achieved by voluntary changes like this than by government imposition."