IMPERIAL MEASURES: WELCOME NEWS FROM EU - LIZ LYNNE MEP

12.00.00am GMT Fri 30th Nov 2007

The UK and Ireland can keep using imperial measurements indefinitely thanks to a report amending legislation which was adopted by Euro MPs this week.

West Midlands Euro MP Liz Lynne, had always maintained that imposing rules on measurements was unnecessary and unwelcome, having campaigned on the issue for several years.

Liz said;

"I welcome the Parliament's vote; this is a victory for common sense and I am glad this pointless battle will now been laid to rest.

"I have always said that if people want their produce in pounds and ounces or in pints they should be allowed it and if they want to buy or sell in metric also they should be able to. This is all about freedom of choice."

As a result of the vote, the present UK system of the dual labelling of goods in pounds and ounces and metric will continue. The UK had been due to set a date for phasing out all its imperial measurements within three years.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

This follows on from the unofficial announcement in May and a Commission statement in September proposing amendments to previous EU rules, which had be agreed by the UK government but had proven to be unpopular with British consumers.

Since 1995, goods sold in Europe have had to display metric weights and measurements, but imperial indications have also been allowed.

The British tradition was due to expire in 2009 but will now continue indefinitely.