Businesses have to deal with the Millennium Bug and the Euro as the 1st January 2000 approaches, but there is a third massive problem that will be inflicted upon retail traders.

Compulsory metrication starts on the same day, as a result of EC directives. Thousands of businesses will be forced to convert tens of thousands of weighing machines to metric measures. It will be illegal to sell fresh fruit and vegetables by the pound after the start of the Millennium. Retailers still using British traditional measures will face a heavy fine or possible imprisonment. Only 7% of the population support metric only measures. There won't be much celebrating by small shopkeepers and customers on the 1^st of January in the year 2000.

The Government has pledged £97m to help businesses to avoid the fatal Millennium Bug but it will spend nothing to avert the massive cost of weighing machine conversion.

The British Weights and Measures Association says scrap compulsory metrication and allow retailers to use traditional measures if they want. The BWMA wants the criminal law removed from metrication, allowing free choice. Consumers should be allowed to buy their goods using whatever system they prefer.

Press release distributed by David Delaney, BWMA Hon Public Relations Officer, Mortimers Cross Mill, Leominster, HR6 9PE, (Tel: 01568 708 820, FAX 01568 708 765, e-mail dtdelaney@compuserve.com).

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