The BWMA has this to say about the British government position on the EU
directive. The British government wants the directive to be cancelled
altogether. And further British metrication.. forget it as far as this
government is concerned.
British Government position on "supplementary indications" 20 January 2007
On 10 January 2007, the Department of Trade and Industry issued an open
letter stating its viewpoint on the EC "metric-only" Directive 80/181.
The DTI said that the,"...use of supplementary indications on goods is an
important means of facilitating trade between Member States and non-metric
countries such as the USA. The Government believes that the removal of the
permission to use supplementary indications after 2009 could create a barrier
to trade and increase costs for UK businesses wishing to export to the US".
Therefore, the DTI concluded, "...the Government intends to support the
continued use of supplementary indications after 2009 for an indefinite
period".
With regards to the pint for draught beer and cider, and for milk in
returnable containers, and the mile for road traffic signs, the Government
believes, "...that the derogations do not adversely affect trade between Member
States and intends to propose to the Commission that, in line with the
principle of subsidiarity, the future of these derogations should be a matter
to be decided by the individual Member States which make use of them".
The DTI's letter may be read here:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file36845.pdf
