A £22million support package announced yesterday to help business owners ahead of the introduction of Scotland's controversial bottle-recycling scheme has been branded as reeking of desperation.
Circularity Scotland said the cashflow support measures would address concerns, particularly for smaller producers of beverages subject to the 20p levy that will be added to every single-use can and bottle sold in Scotland.
Starting in August, almost every bottle or can sold in Scotland will come with an extra 20p deposit charge as a part of new recycling rules brought in force by the Deposit-Return Scheme (DRS).
In response to widespread criticism, Circularity Scotland has announced a number of initiatives to address concerns.
They includes a pledge to remove the day-one and month-one charges for all producers, up to a threshold of three million units per year.
It is also providing two-month credit terms on deposits and fees up to the same volume threshold to reduce the working capital impact on all producers.
More needed
However, whisky consultant Blair Bowman, who has led a push against the new rules, doesn't believe the moves go far enough.
The former Aberdeen University student told the Press & Journal: "It reeks of desperation.
"A letter has gone out to producers today - less than five working days before the deadline (for firms to register).
"For some businesses, it might be the first time they've seen DRS. It shows it's not workable.
"The fact they've put out this package today and framed as a success and win for small businesses - it should've been in from the absolute beginning.
"It shows they are scrambling around, don't know what they are doing and making it up as they go along.
Moving goalposts
"They are constantly and consistently moving the goalposts which is not workable for any business in any situation in any sector - and it's not how we should be treated as a drinks industry in Scotland."
But Circularity Scotland chief executive David Harris said: "We know that smaller producers, in particular, have been concerned about the cashflow impacts of the scheme, and these measures will address those concerns.
"Circularity Scotland has successfully secured over £100million of third-party funding to establish the infrastructure of the deposit-return scheme, with only minimal up-front funding from the very largest producers.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said she hoped the changes would address many concerns raised by smaller producers.
However, the Scottish Conservatives - who have called for the scheme to be paused - claimed the "last-minute" changes were an acknowledgment that its design was flawed.
MSP Maurice Golden told the BBC: "This sudden discovery of £22million, just days before the deadline for firms to register, is not enough to make it fit for purpose in its current form.
Saving face
"Instead of this desperate bid to save face, Lorna Slater should swallow her pride and accept that the scheme should be paused at once for an independent review to address the numerous concerns of business."
Mr Golden said a well-designed scheme could be beneficial, but that in its current form it was unworkable.