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For immediate release, 21st October 2003
"Smiley" system for bathing water
The European Parliament has voted to update and improve popular EU legislation on the quality of bathing water. With a new 'smiley' symbol, this will give better information to people swimming or doing watersports.
The new symbols will indicate if the water at a particular beach has tested free from chemical and biological hazards and therefore meets EU health standards.
Liberal Democrat MEP for the East of England Andrew Duff commented:
"The easily recognisable 'smiley' will be a boon for East of England holidaymakers visiting not only British beaches but those in other EU countries like Spain, Italy or Greece. We'll be able to swim in the sea with confidence - even if we don't speak the language!"
"Whereas in the old law the information on water quality related to last year, now bathers will get information on present conditions. Also, within a week of becoming available, test results must be posted on the internet."
"Local councils will compete to show that their beaches are cleaner than those of their rivals - this has got to be good for us tourists."
ENDS
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Andrew's
work
in the European Parliament since 1999
Andrew is Vice-President of the European Parliament delegation to the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe.
Andrew drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights which has strengthened the rights of all the citizens of the European Union.
Andrew is working for improved links between the EU and Turkey, to encourage improvements in Turkey's human rights record and to enhance its democracy.
Andrew's campaigning in the East of England
Andrew has led calls for the Air Travel industry to be subjected to the same rigorous environmental criteria as other modes of transport
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