Here is the approximate time table for the conversion.

notice the rush to convert petrol pumps? Why? Could it be they have up until now old fashioned type pumps that need replacing? These obsolete pumps may have been in imperial gallons and no one makes an imperial gallon petrol pump any more.

Notice how their proximilty to the US is being ignored in this decision. They are moving to a single market system like the EU and already have a common currency (East Caribean Dllar). Notice how they see the EU and not the US as an example to follow.

Prediction: SteveH will be unwilling to answer the question or accept the truth of the statements made because he knows it will be an admission his side is losing the war. He will attempt to divert you asttention by stating this article was "lifted" from the USMA site.




St Lucia begins drive to implement metric system to catch up with region

AP

Wednesday, 2005-03-23

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050322T200000-0500_77361_OBS_ST_LUCIA_BEGINS_DRIVE_TO_IMPLEMENT_METRIC_SYSTEM_TO_CATCH_UP_WITH_REGION.asp

CASTRIES, St Lucia (AP) - St Lucia has begun a drive to convert its weights and measures to the metric system in a bid to catch up with its neighbours ahead of the creation of a Caribbean single economic market, an official said Monday.

Most of the 15-nation Caribbean Community has already gone from the old imperial system still used in Britain and the United States to the metric system, which is used by most other developed nations.

First adopted by France in 1799, the metric system uses meters instead of yards and kilograms instead of pounds. A former British colony that won its independence in 1979, St Lucia passed a bill to implement the metric system five years ago.

"We have had to set up an interim board to determine St Lucia's readiness and willingness to metricate," said Allison Plummer, director of the St Lucia Bureau of Standards, which is coordinating the drive, which includes a massive public education program.

By the end of the year, St Lucia's 162,000 residents may be buying their gasoline in litres instead of gallons, and St Lucia plans to achieve full implementation of the metric system within five years.

Metrication is "about changing the whole mindset of the people of the islands", Plummer said.

Trinidad was among the first to pass metric system legislation, more than 25 years ago, said Camella Rhone, with the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, an intergovernmental agency.

Other countries followed suit, and the metric system is permeating daily life at different rates throughout the region.
In January, heavy rains caused devastating floods in Guyana. The weather bureau measured the rainfall in millimetres.

"Other community member states are in process," said Rhone.

Farthest behind is Antigua, which is still on the imperial system and does not plan to pass metric legislation in sooner than four years.

While Jamaica generally follows the standards of Britain and the United States, which are important trading partners, its bureau of standards has become more vigilant in monitoring local consumer products.

"In general within the region, at the consumer level the changes made are not totally apparent as imperial units are still being used," Rhone said.

In 1995, Jamaica passed an amendment to the Weights and Measures Act to enforce compliance with the metric system. Although the systems are often dual, the metric system is used when demanded in trade, for example, in the automobile and rum and spirits trade and in the building and engineering, road transport, and petroleum industries, Rhone said.

"If the region is to be serious about using the single market to facilitate trade, the international system of measurement has to be declared as the official language of measurement in trade," she said.

By 2010, the European Union will only accept trade in metric weights and measures, Plummer said.

The Caribbean Community this year plans to institute an EU-style single market, which will allow duty-free trade between participating nations.

Just a little reminder to all the posters here.

Mr multiposter (John/NoBrains/Euric/etc) will have never been to St Lucia. Thus, like the fact he has never been to the UK, he should be the best source of information and facts about the country (and the UK, naturally).

Know what I mean?

:-D

Just a little reminder to all the posters here.

Mr Avoid the Reality just posted another one of his famous divert and distract posts again. From a person who wears blinders where ever he goes so as not to see metric is not in a position to be critical of others. I can just image this person visiting St. Lucia in 5 years time running around looking for remnant uses of imperial and proclaiming imperial is alive and well because some drunken old bum laying in some back ally asked for a pint .


Know what I mean?

:-D

Well said Erin :-)

Oops hush my mouth, I'm supposed to be ignoring him (or her). Must remember Mr H's instructions in future.

"Oops hush my mouth, I'm supposed to be ignoring him (or her). Must remember Mr H's instructions in future"

Totally up to you whether you engage with that sort. If you ask me I have a sneaky suspicion that "erin" (John) has stolen your name for that post. In a way I do hope so - unless you want to align with a self loathing anti-american racist lieing bigot who cannot contemplate the idea that people might have differing points of view. You may also wish to talk about the entire US collapsing because of its economy or an Iraq that has switched to euros or even metric records. Perhaps tell us about the legitimate 500 gr "pound" that legally exists in the UK? Or that having 5m unemployed Germans is somehow good for Germany and Europe.

Two words to think about:

"Nice company?".

Back on topic, to address 'Error NoBrains':-
The remnents of imperial that will be in St Lucia (a country that you have never and probably will never visit). Are these the same remnants as is used in the UK? Tell us more!

Someone please ask me to back up my claims for using such strong language, if such proof is needed.

Don't want to be accused of "name calling" - I leave that to the terrible twins. ;-)