From the 1st September, shops will no longer be able to buy in 100 watt incandescent light bulbs, although present inventories can be sold until they run out. The commission intends to phase out all incandescent bulbs by 2012 but concerns have been raised that energy-saving light bulbs can be impractical, and they can exacerbate health conditions.
Conservative environment spokesman in Brussels, Mr Callanan has written to the European Commission asking it to reconsider the immediate draconian ban, which could spell misery for epilepsy and anxiety sufferers. Instead the Conservatives have called on the commission to encourage the take-up of energy-saving bulbs which have already seen their market share increase significantly in the UK. For example, in the last quarter of 2008, 12.3 million were sold compared with 8.9 million in the same period a year earlier.
Mr Callanan said:
"I'm all for encouraging people to switch to more energy efficient bulbs but taking light bulbs off our shelves is overzealous."
"Figures already show that households are voluntarily switching to energy-saving bulbs. If the benefits of having energy-saving bulbs are so obvious, surely people will be able to choose them over incandescent bulbs, without the need for a ban which is to the detriment of those people who rely on traditional bulbs."