04/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - Before the Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the Danish Government defended national provisions regarding the packaging of drinks. Denmark had refused to allow the sale of drinks in disposable metal cans and had been hauled before the Court by the Commission for having infringed a Community directive. Then, it had approved the sale by the Brewers Carlsberg of beer in plastic bottles. In responding to the Commission's complaints, the Danish Government stressed that these bottles were re-usable and came within the country's system of deposits on bottles; they are therefore in no way comparable with metal packaging. Denmark intends maintaining its legislation, which it regards to be compatible with both the EU's "packaging" directive and with the rules on the free movement of goods in the European market without borders.