European Union Bans The Eeeevil --- Barometer

I'd opine that it's the Silly Season in that bureaucrat's paradise, but with the exception of a few breaks throughout the year, when isn't it?

The parliament's environment committee rejected a bid to exclude barometers from the ban, which will also affect thermometers and blood pressure gauges.

The draft law is designed to phase out the use of a substance harmful to health and the environment.

It still has to be approved by the full parliament, and by EU ministers.

An amendment to the law supporting the continued manufacture of mercury barometers was passed in the European Parliament last November, but not supported by the member states.

The author of the amendment, British Conservative MEP Martin Callanan: "If you get rid of the companies they will then be forced to close, and that removes all of the expertise."

"So the many thousands of people up and down the country that have an existing barometer cannot get it repaired and will therefore throw it away which will result in more mercury entering the environment."

Boy, oh boy, oh boy! Citing something so eeevil as cause and effect relationship is so-o-o-o unfair.

Elsewhere, an excellent take over at EU Referendum.