It may be that accidents due to human error are increased by absence of international agreement on standard weights and measures in matters which can affect health and safety, as in examples so well described by Ron Conner in his letter in The Cornish Times of January 14, but what relevance has that to whether we buy apples in pounds or kilos.
The metric and imperial systems are both antiquated, with advantages and disadvantages. Where there is no proven health and safety reason for compliance with a particular system, why should we not be free to use whatever generally understood system we like?
If the metric system really is superior, surely it will be universally adopted anyway? Legislation, especially criminalisation, should always be kept to a reasonable minimum. Draconian laws enforcing use of the metric system by local traders are a diminution of our freedom.
Let's hope that weights and measures inspectors and trading standards officers will concentrate on stopping the many errors and swindles that occur and not harass traders who neither cheat the public nor put health or safety at risk.
KEITH BRIAN,
Windsworth,
St Martins-by-Looe