Mandelson 'hypocrisy' on green lightbulbs

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The UK Government has supported EU moves to force households to switch to more expensive 'greener' bulbs within two years.

However, at the same time Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is considering moves that will make the bulbs more expensive by extending hefty duties on imports.

The low-energy fluorescent bulbs can cost

almost £5 each, around ten times the price of traditional bulbs with filaments. As much as £1.80 of this can be accounted for by EU duty on imports from China.

These tariffs, meant to protect EU manufacturers, were due to lapse in July last year but have been maintained following pressure from some southern European states.

Mr Mandelson's department is investigating

retaining them. Syed Kamall, Tory international trade spokesman in the European Parliament, said, "Many people think energysaving lightbulbs are more expensive than conventional ones because they last longer. Now it turns out it is because the EU is taxing them to the hilt.

"To renew taxes on these bulbs when the EU wants to make them compulsory would be the height of hypocrisy. Peter Mandelson is letting politics overrule a fair trade policy."