Perth butcher’s joy as 5p carrier bag charge will be waived

A Perth butcher is celebrating after successfully lobbying for the 5p charge on bags to be waived.

Beaton Lindsay, of Lindsays Butchers in Perth, has been appointed president of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association.

The body won their case for the charge to be dropped in the 450 federation butcher shops.

Dispensation has been given to stop the risk of raw meat contaminating cooked meat products, which could expose customers to E coli.

The carrier bag exemption applies to all butchers who sell loose fresh meat but not shops and supermarkets selling vacuum-packed meat.

Mr Lindsay said: “We felt we had a good case as hygiene is of ultra importance to us. It is the duty of every butcher to ensure that products leave their shops packaged with food hygiene very much in mind.”