European Parliament vote ups pressure on barometer producers - Watson

3.52.13pm GMT Mon 13th Nov 2006

As the European Parliament gears up for tomorrow's vote to restrict the use of mercury in measuring devices, South West Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson has offered to support an amendment protecting local barometer producers whose livelihoods could be threatened if a complete ban goes through.

Speaking prior to the vote in Strasbourg, Graham Watson MEP said:

"Clearly it is important that we tackle the dangers that mercury poses to the environment and to human health. That said, the majority of mercury in the system and in our environment comes from coal fired power plants and crematoria, not traditional barometers which use minimal amounts of mercury. I hope common sense will prevail and that constituents of mine, such as those at Barometer World in Merton, Devon, can go on producing traditional barometers into the future."

The vote on mercury in measuring devices comes after the European Commission's insistence that the heavy metal, found in weather instruments and thermometers, posed a real risk to the environment and to individuals. In March, an amendment, voted on by MEPs and supported by Graham Watson, called on a select number of companies which produce barometers to be exempt from a ban enabling them to go on repairing traditional barometers. Tomorrow's vote will ratify the position of the European Parliament on this matter with the new amendment calling for a long term exemption for producers of traditional barometers.

It is estimated that 33 tonnes of mercury is used in measuring and control devices across the EU each year. However, only 30kg is used in the UK each year meaning that, on average, a barometer contains around one teaspoon of mercury.