Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sainsbury of Turville (Labour) on Monday, 27 March 2006.

EU: Mercury

Question: What assessment they have made of the impact upon the United Kingdom barometer industry of the proposal by the European Commission to ban the use of mercury in temperature and weather gauges; and what representations they have made to the Commission regarding the proposal.

Answer: Officials of Her Majesty’s Government are currently in discussion with industry to determine the scale of the impacts on their businesses, but the full impact of the EU strategy on mercury and the restrictions on marketing and use have not yet been fully quantified, as the Commission has only recently (February 2006) published its revised proposal. Subject to the final text of the restriction on marketing and use, manufacturers of barometers (weather gauges) may still be permitted to continue to repair and sell second-hand equipment, continue to place new equipment on the market for scientific use, and continue to export new equipment outside the EU25, provided that the instruments are shipped empty and filled from locally sourced mercury when they are commissioned. Although fever thermometers containing mercury will be banned, thermometer manufacturers might also be able to realign their markets to the scientific sector. Officials of Her Majesty’s Government have lobbied the Commission in support of the UK barometer manufacturing industry and invited one of the manufacturers to join them in direct representation to the Commission and MEPs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4767; 680 c94-5WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: EU action Measuring instruments Weather Regulation Temperature Mercury
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk