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