To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline any engagement he has had with producers on the development of a Deposit Return Scheme.

There has been extensive engagement with stakeholders throughout the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme for Northern Ireland. This engagement has included key producers, retailers, wholesalers, hospitality and material manufacturers.

Following the appointment of the UKDMO in May 2025 to deliver the DRS scheme, my officials, alongside Defra and the Scottish Government, have continued engaging with representative bodies with further stakeholder events planned to take place in the coming weeks.

UK DMO have also established both an Industry Advisory Group and Consumer Engagement Forum to engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders providing an opportunity to discuss proposals and inform decision making on the implementation of DRS. Northern Ireland views are represented on both of these groups.

My officials will continue to engage purposefully and collaboratively with stakeholders, colleagues across the three nations and UK DMO to meet our collective and individual ambitions in progressing the implementation of DRS ahead of launching the scheme in October 2027.