A transitional period will last until 2020 in order to ensure that the abolition of the clock changing does not disrupt the functioning of the single market, as different times affect many sectors and movement of citizens in the EU, MEP Bronis’ Ropė office announced.
“We are implementing the will of the electorate, because the citizens of the EU have long been dissatisfied with the seasonal time change. Neither tangible benefits to the economy have been observed. Specialists notices the negative consequences for the health of citizens due to the impact on the biological rhythm of the person’s body” – comments MEP Bronis Ropė.
The MEP points out that the situation in the agricultural sector illustrates the need to stop time changing. “The situation of livestock farmers is a great example of the fact that clock changing is not compatible with agricultural practice. Modern agricultural equipment facilitates farming, but the biological rhythm of animals will not be changed by any technology, so farmers need to adapt to both not changing bio-rhythm of animals and other areas of life where time is changing. Such working conditions for farmers are worrying in terms of their health” – tells B. Ropė.
Member States should adopt standard time in a coordinated way among themselves, as their territories cover three different time zones. Unprepared or uncoordinated procedures would lead to fragmentation, if neighbor countries choose to switch different time zones.