Interviews
EU members exert pressure on FAIR
03 Oct '06
3 min read
The political circus surrounding anti-dumping duties against footwear imports from China and Vietnam has reached completely unacceptable levels.
Paul Verrips, President of the Footwear Association of Importers and Retail chains (FAIR), finds the massive political pressure currently being exerted by certain EU Member States astounding; “This case no longer has anything to do with anti-dumping. Neither the facts nor Community interest would justify introducing the anti-dumping duties. However, in complete disregard of the merits of the case, Member States are being pushed to abandon their previous declared positions, either through bullying or bribes.” FAIR represents more than 100 companies, with more than 90.000 employees.
Verrips finds it shocking that anti-dumping duties could be introduced at the behest of such a small group of EU-based footwear producers, thereby completely ignoring the interests of the majority of the EU footwear industry as well as the European consumer.
This is not the only problem. FAIR finds it particularly outrageous that any duties would try to support a group of producers that relies on subsidies to artificially maintain competitiveness, rather than facing the demands of global competition.
Furthermore, it appears that some of the approximately 38 million Euro paid in recent years could have been issued as illegal state aid. FAIR is investigating the appropriate way to address this situation and is considering filing an official complaint.
Paul Verrips, President of the Footwear Association of Importers and Retail chains (FAIR), finds the massive political pressure currently being exerted by certain EU Member States astounding; “This case no longer has anything to do with anti-dumping. Neither the facts nor Community interest would justify introducing the anti-dumping duties. However, in complete disregard of the merits of the case, Member States are being pushed to abandon their previous declared positions, either through bullying or bribes.” FAIR represents more than 100 companies, with more than 90.000 employees.
Verrips finds it shocking that anti-dumping duties could be introduced at the behest of such a small group of EU-based footwear producers, thereby completely ignoring the interests of the majority of the EU footwear industry as well as the European consumer.
This is not the only problem. FAIR finds it particularly outrageous that any duties would try to support a group of producers that relies on subsidies to artificially maintain competitiveness, rather than facing the demands of global competition.
Furthermore, it appears that some of the approximately 38 million Euro paid in recent years could have been issued as illegal state aid. FAIR is investigating the appropriate way to address this situation and is considering filing an official complaint.
Popular News
Leave your Comments
Esteemed Clients
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
