How many people were really desperate to have retailers revert to selling only in Imperial measures? It's a pathetic non-decision, put out as a sop to sad old flag-shaggers. You call it the AUSUK alliance, but there's a third participant, I believe. I'm not interested in our continuing to be a military poodle of the US and don't believe we need more submarines to patrol Asian waters, spending money that could have gone to the NHS. We should be staying closer to home and I'd be much more comfortable with our being part of a European defence initiative. Low unemployment is obviously a positive thing, but we have more than a million vacancies that can't be filled. We don't have enough people to do the jobs without the Europeans. The government is scraping the barrel for ways to portray Brexit as a success. It isn't.
I suspect it may be mainly market traders that sell in Imperial. Why should it be illegal for them to do so, just because EU made that law? "AUSUK" includes the US - "US" is in that name. First, we will be part of a European defence initiative in some form (though not the mythical EU army). Second, the military stresses and break points are all in the Pacific. North Korea carrying out tests on long range missiles that can carry nuclear weapons and reach Japan. An increasingly militarised China, that may not need much excuse to invade Taiwan. For me, it's about maintaining the balance of power. So far as job vacancies are concerned, we can invite workers in as we need them, whether in Europe or further afield.
The EU didn't make it illegal to sell in Imperial, it said that Metric measures had to be displayed alongside ImperiaI. This was a condition of the Single Market, in which we were a leading player. Still, rejoice!
Hang on the change to decimalisation and metric weights is nothing to do with EU... a total myth that one. From ...https://ukma.org.uk/why-metric/myths/british-metrication/#britain-forced Britain was forced to adopt metric by the European Union This myth has been widely repeated in the British news media and by anti-EU politicians. It simply does not stand up to an examination of the facts. In the mid 1960s, British industry and the government were concerned about our continued use of old-fashioned (non-decimal) currency and measurement units. The government decided to reform both currency and measurement units, announcing its intention to convert to metric in 1965. This was at a time when accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) seemed very remote. The UK joined the EEC in 1973 along with Ireland and Denmark. Another completely red....no bright scarlet herring
And of course we could expect a totally unbiased piece of journalism about the subject from the ‘United Kingdom Metric Association’. Next I expect you to quote a piece from the ‘United Kingdom Meat Traders society’ concerning the kindness shown in slaughter houses
Stainsey... surely they are quoting historical fact...not a biased opinion. It obviously suits their cause but it is fact.. I remember being delighted as decimal measures are so much easier to manage than imperial...with their pecks and gills..
It made it illegal to sell in Imperial only. No choice for the seller there. Now the seller has a choice, and the buyer has a choice whether to use the seller. Seems fair to me.
Probably fairer to show both if we absolutely have to pander to the people who will re-live their youth via buying strawberries by the pound.
Let’s be honest Beth, most normal people really couldn’t give a **** whether they buy their vegetables in Ibs or Kgs, and it seems to just have become one of these things that flag shaggers from both sides seem to harp on about. However, my little understanding after about 2 minutes research, is that the EU did make it illegal to just sell things in old imperial measurement only…..could be wrong of course but then again I’m just getting ready for a Friday night shift. I’m sure we’ve both got far more important things to worry about
Is it a complete myth News UK News WHY WE’RE TALKING ABOUT . . . ‘Metric martyr’: Boris Johnson’s plan to revive imperial measurements Bid to bring back pounds and ounces is part of a bonfire of EU regulations THE WEEK STAFF 17 SEP 2021 please log in to view this image Christopher Furlong/Getty Images British shops will once again be allowed to sell products in pounds and ounces after the government announced a review of the ban on using imperial units. ‘Not Greggs too’: can the government fix food shortages before Christmas? Gaps on supermarket shelves, stranded pigs and labour shortages: Britain’s supply chain crisis explained ‘Final step of Brexit’: can the EU and UK now move on? Traders are legally obliged to use metric measurements, such as grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres, when selling packaged or loose goods in England, Scotland and Wales. However, in a policy paper released yesterday entitled “Brexit opportunities”, the Cabinet Office said that it plans to “review the EU ban on markings and sales in imperial units and legislate in due course”. David Frost, minister of state at the Cabinet Office, said: “Overbearing regulations were often conceived and agreed in Brussels with little consideration of the UK national interest. We now have the opportunity to do things differently.” Regulations introduced in 1994 requiring goods to be weighed in metric units have “long been a flashpoint for anti-EU campaigners”, said i news. And during the 2019 general election campaign, Boris Johnson pledged that he would bring imperial units back to shops, heralding “an era of generosity and tolerance towards traditional measurements”. The issue was also raised in 2001 when a “greengrocer from Sunderland arguably did more than any politician to set Britain on the path towards Brexit” after he was convicted for breaking “EU rules banning the sale of fruit and vegetables in pounds and ounces”, The Times said. The government review marks a victory for “metric martyrs”, the paper added, but is “a largely symbolic move to make good on one of the most ardent and longstanding public gripes about EU interference on traditional English life”. The announcement has been met with “disdain” on social media, said The London Economic, and Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: “Literally no one has ever raised this with me as an MP. EVER!” Advertisement - Article continues below SNP MP Stephen Flynn tweeted: “They could do with just focusing on having food on the shelves in the first place.” In a leader article, The Times said that the plan “should not go the distance”, arguing that while “small sections of Conservative support may yearn for the olden clarity of lbs and oz… if forced to jettison our measurement bilingualism, an unspoken majority might prefer things to go the other way”. Imperial vs. metric Most of the world uses the metric system. However, the US has its own system, which is based on the old imperial system of inches and pounds. Under the imperial system, used in the UK until metric measurements began to be introduced in 1965, length is measured in inches, feet and miles. One inch is the equivalent of 2.54 centimetres, one foot is 30.48 centimetres and a mile represents 1.609 kilometres. Volume is measured in fluid ounces, pints and gallons. One fluid ounce is equal to 28.4 millilitres, a pint is 0.568 litres and a gallon is 4.546 litres. Weight, like length, is still commonly measured in the UK using the imperial system. One ounce (1oz) is 28.349 grams, one pound (1lb) is 0.453 kilograms and one stone is 6.35 kilograms.
What this refers to is prepackaged food. In 2000, the EU's weights and measures directive came into force, requiring the use of metric units for the sale of fresh produce by weight or measure. This is what led to the prosecution of British market traders after 2000, because they breached the new EU law.
It comes down to a freedom issue. Most sellers will continue to show both measurements, but if a seller chooses just Imperial, he or she will no longer be prosecuted.
Sure this may have been mentioned already but... https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58582860 Not surprised to be honest. Last time I was in there the shelves were empty and there was next to no fresh produce. Enjoyed my Friday night curry box for a few years, seems I'll have to find another option from now on. So minor compared to other side effects...but cheers Brexit.
Good point, though I'm sure they had the 500gram signed up somewhere. Quarterpounder has a certain ring to it which is, I suspect, appreciated beyond Brexiteers
What’s more surprising is that French people would want to shop at M&S for fresh food, or god forbid ‘ready meals’, when they have an abundance of locally produced stuff right at their door. Unless of course it’s aimed at the ‘flag shaggers’ who live over there who demand their ketchup when they want it.
