LIZ LYNNE WELCOMES EU ANNOUNCEMENT ON IMPERIAL MEASURES

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

Liz Lynne MEP has welcomed news of the expected confirmation later today by the European Commission that the present UK system of the dual labelling of goods in pounds and ounces and metric will continue indefinitely.

The UK had been due to set a date for phasing out all its imperial measurements within three years.

Liz, who has been campaigning on this issue for several years commented today from Brussels;

"I welcome the Commission's announcement; 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."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

This follows on from the unofficial announcement we heard in May.

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 following a concession by the European Commission, will now continue indefinitely.