March 24, 2006: Existing church organs to
be exempted from lead ban
Church organs are to be reprieved from an EU
directive which had threatened their future owing to a forthcoming
restriction on hazardous substances, said Euro MP Robert Sturdy.
He
sought clarification after reports of a ban were highlighted this
week under new EU laws designed to recycle waste electronic equipment
and remove dangerous metals from the environment.
In response to
his enquiries Mr Sturdy was told by a European Commission official
that existing church organs will be exempt, as the legislation
will only affect new products. In theory any new organs built after
1st July will have to comply with the new laws. Mr Sturdy has called
on the Government to grant a derogation (exemption) to lead organ
pipes.
“Banning lead in organs is ridiculous. There are hundreds
of beautiful churches across East Anglia with traditional organs
which are part of our heritage and should be protected. When this
legislation was discussed in the Environment Committee, of which
I am a member, no one ever came to explain that organs would be
affected. If they had done we could have avoided this problem”,
said Mr Sturdy, who sits on the Environment Committee.
“The Government should ensure that the directive is implemented
in the way it was intended. This proposal is about increasing recycling
and reducing dangerous waste, it wasn't meant to have anything
to do with traditional organs".
