The Editor,

With over 18 years experience in food and handling of these products, have people ever thought of the idea with these so called bags that are here to help the environment?

That’s right, the “green bag”.

There has been plenty of debate, but it is the unknown problems which will occur about six to 12 months after they are here and nothing else is available to use.

We have and know of people within communities throughout South Australia that:

1. carry dogs/cats in these bags with potential diseases/fleas and other problems and then the potential for cross contamination of the food stuffs within the food establishment itself.

Are we saying that it is okay for dogs and cats to enter these places?

No - well we do not want their diseases and dog/cat hair/fleas either.

2. I believe the government has not bothered to consider the health department’s consideration or views in these areas.

3. What about the overall cost to the consumer at 10 cents per bag to make and yet the big companies are making 90 cents per bag selling them for $1 each.

These bags are not good for the environment but simply pave the pockets of the major food chains.

4. What about the issues of people and blood etc from the meats in these bags and then the staff touching these bags behind the counter then touching your bags - this is cross contamination in abundance.

I would hope that common sense prevails but unfortunately I think it has gone too far now.

5. I would hope that the staff are going to clean down the benches after every customer to ensure there is no cross contamination occurring and that they use an adequate hand sanitiser prior to commencing the process of touching the next customer’s bags.

6. We do know that diseases are transmitted via this method, but unfortunately the government does not appear to be the slightest bit interested.

I think it is about time for the government to listen to the proper people and the people who know and not minority groups which want more money from the customer, but to also have common sense and use the bio bags which degrade in landfill etcetera anyway as a priority.

In addition, the new legislation (the Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Act 2008) is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

I would doubt that the EPA has brought up these issues as outlined.

I only hope that the State government agencies are available in the long term to take all the complaints and not rely on local government to do their dirty work.

Scott Parsons

Port Augusta