WALES IS set to become the first country in Britain to introduce a plastic bag levy.

The Welsh Assembly is at an advanced stage in replicating the Irish levy system that was introduced in 2002.

Jane Davidson, the assembly's environment minister, visited Ireland earlier this year and met environment minister John Gormley to see how she could learn from the Irish example. There was a 90% reduction in plastic bag use after the 15c levy was introduced.

According to reports in the British media last week, the Welsh assembly is about to outlaw the free distribution of plastic bags and Davidson said many shoppers were still failing "to embrace the environmental message."

Speaking the Sunday Tribune, she said: "We are looking closely at the Irish experience to see what lessons we can learn. There is no doubt the policy has been a great success. I would love Wales to also see a reduction in the amount of single use carrier bags used.

"Two years ago, BBC Wales ran a poll asking people what laws they thought the newly elected assembly should introduce and a charge on plastic bags came out on top. Among the political parties in the assembly there is also support for the policy.

"My view is that we are behind the curve on the issue. All over the world action is already being taken against single-use carrier bags. Over the last few decades customers have definitely come to expect free plastic bags at checkouts, but the tide does appear to be turning, as shoppers look for more environmentally-friendly options."

A billion fewer plastic bags are used in Ireland now. While the "plastax" has been hailed as a success, the government had to increase the levy from 15c to 22c in July 2007 to further discourage the use of plastic bags.