High-energy light bulbs are to be banned in all European Union countries from the start of 2010. During their talks in Luxembourg today, European Energy Ministers agreed on the ban, proposed by Irish Environment Minister John Gormley as part of a consultation document launched today. The changeover to low-energy fluorescent bulbs was first ordered at a Brussels summit last year as part of an ambitious energy policy to fight climate change. The scheme will initially apply to bulbs of 75 watts and higher and the phasing out of the traditional bulbs will come into effect on March 1 next year.