Trade leaders and MEPs to vote on noise legislation

Trade leaders and MEPs will be meeting in Strasbourg this week to vote on the issue of noise legislation.

Although it has been decided that acceptable noise limits for staff will not be dropped to 83 decibels, as previously recommended, ministers will now continue with the original proposal, which recommends dropping acceptable noise limits from the current 90 decibels to 85 decibels.

Trade leaders are still concerned that this could have a damaging effect on the pub trade. They fear that under the directive, noise levels would not be monitored on a weekly basis, then averaged, providing an unfair and inaccurate reading. They are also concerned about a plan to make barstaff wear ear muffs when subjected to loud music.

This could in turn mean noise levels are reduced by two-thirds and regional brewer Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, along with other members of the trade, is urging MEPs to consider dropping the plans or reinstating an amendment that excludes the pub and leisure industry from the directive.

Last week there was speculation that Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynn would suggest more research needed to be conducted before a decision was reached.

Robert Humphreys, spokesman for the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said the vote could go either way, but added he was hopeful the leisure industry would be exempt from the directive.

"Every employee deserves protection but not if the effects would be to put 10 million people out of work," he said. "There needs to be an exemption for the leisure sector."

The decision is expected on Wednesday (March 13).

Related stories:​

Noise ban threat lingers on (28 February 2002)

European noise reduction proposals dropped (14 February 2002)

BBPA joins protest over European proposals to limit pub noise (4 February 2002)

European noise reduction proposals debated (25 January 2002)

Trade hits out at 'straight banana' proposal that could end pub music (17 January 2002)