Critics have blasted the controversial move as a further sign that Brussels wants Brits to sup Continental metric measures.

Since 1699, pint and half-pint glasses made and used in this country have been printed with a crown and certification number, guaranteeing drinkers they’re not being given short measures.

But the EU is bringing in a Euro-wide standard for the size and safety of glasses. They now appear in pubs and bars carrying a CE mark instead of a crown – which is French for European conformity.

Most pub glasses are being produced in the Czech Republic where costs are lower, and they automatically get the CE mark, even if they are for an imperial pint, rather than the 568ml metric equivalent.

Philip Tolley, a Norwich member of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “It’s sad that one bit of history is going, but it’s a reflection on the fact that glasses are no longer made in this country.

“Instead, they are being made in countries like Belgium, where there is a long tradition of different sorts of glasses. But the pint is still a unit of measurement accepted by the EU for Britain.”

Beer-lovers in Norwich were also angry at the prospect of asking for a metric-measured drink with a French seal of approval on it.

Customers at the Bell Inn in Norwich city centre yesterday wanted to know why the change was being introduced.

Mark Wicks, 35, from Lound Road, Earlham, said: “Having the Crown on the pint glass shows that we’re British and it’s something we should be proud of. The Europeans should not be telling us what to do.”

His comments were backed by Steven Rumsby, 46, from the Heartsease Estate, who said: “It’s a long tradition to have the crown on pint glasses and I cannot see any reason to change it. I could not see myself asking for 568 millilitres, or whatever it is, of beer, instead of a pint.”

Gavin Robinson, a bar worker at the Bell, said: “I don’t think it would bother too many of our customers, as long as they still get the full pint in their glasses.”

His attitude was echoed by Nick De’Ath, president of the Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers’ Association, who said: “As long as customers are getting what they paid for, a standard pint, then I don’t think it really matters.”

It’s not the first time the EU has annoyed the British sense of patriotism by its weights and measures legislation. Greengrocers have been hauled before the courts for snubbing EU rules that fresh produce must be sold in kilos and grams, rather than pounds and ounces. Britain promised to dump imperial measurements in 1972 but we were given permission to delay bringing in some of the changes.

The European Commission is poised to take legal action against the UK for dragging its feet – and imperial measures could be banned by 2009.

Have you got a bone to pick with the EU? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.

Taken from: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk
Written by: DAVID BALE