The Scottish Government minister responsible for the roll-out of a controversial recycling scheme has been accused of "desperate spinning" after scores of businesses failed to sign-up.
Lorna Slater told MSPs today that drinks producers responsible for "over 90 per cent of the total volume" sold in Scotland had registered for the deposit return scheme (DRS) by the March 1 deadline.
But the Green minister did not explain that meant just 664 out of an expected 4,500 firms had signed-up on time.
The deadline has now been scrapped and Slater made a fresh plea for smaller businesses to register.
The recycling scheme is due to launch in August and means shoppers will pay an extra 20p when purchasing drinks in a can or bottle - with the cash returned when they bring back the empty container for recycling.
Slater is under increasing pressure after dozens of drinks firms claimed it was not fit for the purpose and could put them out of business.
She told MSPs the scheme would not be paused and insisted it would prove to be a success.
Slater said: "664 drink producers representing over 90 per cent of the total volume of drinks containers sold in Scotland each year have completed registration with Circularity Scotland for Scotland’s deposit return scheme.
"The Scottish Parliament set industry a challenge. To take responsibility for the waste they produce. To do their part in tackling the climate emergency. I am delighted that so many have risen to that challenge already.
"But, I understand there are still concerns among producers, and particularly the smallest companies affected by the scheme.
"We understand those concerns. I have consistently said that SEPA will take a flexible approach where possible.
"It is important that those producers not yet registered know that SEPA will be pragmatic in their approach. That means producers can continue to register, even now, after yesterday’s deadline."
Kate Forbes, one of three SNP MSPs running to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister, this week pledged to halt the DRS if she was elected leader.
The finance secretary claimed it would cause "economic carnage" if implemented as it currently stands.
But Slater accused MSPs opposed to the scheme of peddling "misinformation".
Colin Smyth, Labour net zero spokesman, said: "Lorna Slater is shamelessly dodging the most basic questions in an attempt to spin her own failure and won't even say what proportion of Scotland's drinks producers have signed up.
"This meaningless statement has raised far more questions than answers and left producers in the dark. The minister can't even tell us what the final deadline for registrations is or whether there be a delay for small producers.
"Reducing this important issue into yet another constitutional bunfight won’t help worried businesses or boost recycling.
“Lorna Slater must step aside so we can fix the mess she has made of this scheme.”
Tory MSP Maurice Golden said: "This scheme has been falling apart for months – even the Finance Secretary says it will cause ‘economic carnage’.
"This is a desperate attempt to shift blame for a homemade shambles.
"Small producers are appalled by the scheme roll out and have not registered, which is why the Scottish Government have been forced to consider introducing a grace period.
"It’s too late now to make such fundamental changes to the scheme without creating even more complexity, confusion and costs.
"And now registration is to remain open – so much for the deadline that effectively forced some producers to sign up feeling a gun was at their head because they would be unable to trade otherwise.
"The bottom line is producer registration has been a disaster.
"The minister is desperately spinning the sign-up numbers, but the reality is it works out to barely 16% of the total number of producers – 664 out of an estimated 4,000 operating in Scotland."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said that Circularity Scotland - the non-profit firm which will oversee the recycling scheme - would now carry out a data quality and assurance exercise on the number of sign-ups.
They added it was possible that groups of companies may have signed-up under one registration.
Circularity Scotland did estimate that 4,500 firms may have an interest in a scheme but was "likely to be an overestimate".
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