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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| EU to ban traditional barometers | EU to ban traditional barometers |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Euro MPs have signalled the end of traditional barometers, in a move to ban the sale of products containing mercury across the EU. | Euro MPs have signalled the end of traditional barometers, in a move to ban the sale of products containing mercury across the EU. |
| The parliament's environment committee rejected a bid to exclude barometers from the ban, which will also affect thermometers and blood pressure gauges. | |
| The draft law is designed to phase out the use of a substance harmful to health and the environment. | |
| It still has to be approved by the full parliament, and by EU ministers. | |
| An amendment to the law supporting the continued manufacture of mercury barometers was passed in the European Parliament last November, but not supported by the member states. | An amendment to the law supporting the continued manufacture of mercury barometers was passed in the European Parliament last November, but not supported by the member states. |
| The author of the amendment, British Conservative MEP Martin Callanan: "If you get rid of the companies they will then be forced to close, and that removes all of the expertise." | The author of the amendment, British Conservative MEP Martin Callanan: "If you get rid of the companies they will then be forced to close, and that removes all of the expertise." |
| "So the many thousands of people up and down the country that have an existing barometer cannot get it repaired and will therefore throw it away which will result in more mercury entering the environment." | "So the many thousands of people up and down the country that have an existing barometer cannot get it repaired and will therefore throw it away which will result in more mercury entering the environment." |
| Transition period | |
| But Mr Callanan has acknowledged there is now no hope of more support to save barometers. | But Mr Callanan has acknowledged there is now no hope of more support to save barometers. |
| British Labour MEP, Linda McAvan, welcomed the ban: "Research has shown that even at low doses mercury is extremely harmful to human health." | British Labour MEP, Linda McAvan, welcomed the ban: "Research has shown that even at low doses mercury is extremely harmful to human health." |
| She added: "If even US states, the latest being New Hampshire, are passing laws banning mercury devices in a country where environmental issues are not usually a priority, I cannot see why the European Union should carry on allowing their production." | She added: "If even US states, the latest being New Hampshire, are passing laws banning mercury devices in a country where environmental issues are not usually a priority, I cannot see why the European Union should carry on allowing their production." |
| The law will also affect some wall clocks, marine instruments and devices such as hygrometers, for measuring humidity, obliging manufacturers to make them using alternatives to mercury. | |
| Barometers are produced by a small number of companies in Europe, mainly in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. | Barometers are produced by a small number of companies in Europe, mainly in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. |
| Once the legislation is adopted, there will be a two-year phase-out period before the production of new mercury barometers ends. | Once the legislation is adopted, there will be a two-year phase-out period before the production of new mercury barometers ends. |
| However it will not be illegal to own an old mercury barometer. | However it will not be illegal to own an old mercury barometer. |