No C 154/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 86 
Notice of initiation of an investigation proceeding concerning the trend of imports into Spain of 
urea originating in certain non-Community countries, the terms on which the goods are 
imported and the effects on Community production 
(86/C 154/02) 
The Spanish authorities have informed the Commission 
that imports into Spain of urea originating in countries 
covered by Council Regulation (EEC) No 288/82 of 
5 February 1982 on common rules for imports (*) had 
increased and would continue to increase to such levels 
and/or on such terms as to cause or threaten to cause 
material injury to Spanish industry. 
The Spanish authorities have asked for protective 
measures to be taken. 
Product concerned 
The product concerned by this information is urea 
containing more than 45 % by weight of nitrogen on the 
dry anhydrous product, falling within subheading 
31.02 B of the Common Customs Tariff corresponding 
to NIMEXE code 31.02-15. 
Volume and terms of imports 
The Commission's information is that imports into Spain 
of the product in question originating in countries 
covered by Regulation (EEC) No 288/82 have increased 
and are continuing to increase substantially, both in 
absolute terms and in terms of market share. 
Imports would appear to have risen from an average of 
1 428 tonnes in 1983 to 1985 to 2 622 tonnes in the first 
three months of 1986 and look set to reach 197 072 
tonnes by the end of the year, judging by the volume of 
imports authorized in the first five months of 1986. 
As a percentage of visible national consumption, the 
imports' market share has risen from 0,43 % in 1983, 
1984 and 1985 to a projected 59,42 % in 1986. 
Regarding the terms on which the goods are imported, 
the data supplied indicate that prices are down sharply 
by comparison with past levels and, more specifically, by 
comparison with 1985 prices. They are down from Ptas 
37,7/kg in 1985 to Ptas 16/kg in the first three months 
of 1986 and are likely to fall even further to Ptas 
14,74/kg over the next few months. Alleged injury 
It is alleged that the volume and price of the imports are 
depressing the prices obtained by the Spanish industry, 
the alleged undercutting being of the order of 50 to 
55 %. The very future of the Spanish industry is said to 
be in danger, with its market share looking set to drop 
substantially from 91 % in 1983, 1984 and 1985 to 
around 5 % in 1986. 
Lastly, the volume and prices of the imports are alleged 
to be undermining the Spanish Government's attempts to 
remedy, by means of a restructuring plan, the financial 
difficulties into which the Spanish industry has fallen in 
recent years, partly for structural reasons and partly as a 
result of the contraction of demand in 1981, 1982 and 
1983 due to the drought. 
Proceeding 
The Commission has decided, after carrying out consul­
tations, that while the information in its possession was 
not such as to warrant the adoption of a safeguard 
measure, it was still sufficient to justify the initiation of 
an investigation proceeding covering the trend of imports 
into Spain of urea originating in non-Community 
countries and has accordingly initiated an investigation 
pursuant to Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 
288/82 of 5 February 1982 on common rules for 
imports. 
Any information relating to the matter under 
investigation may be sent in writing to the Commission 
of the European Communities, Directorate-General for 
External Relations (Division I-C-l), rue de la Loi 200, 
B-1049 Brussels (telex: COMEU B 21877). 
Interested parties may give their views in writing within 
30 days of publication of this notice, not including seven 
days for postal transmission, in particular by completing 
the questionnaire sent to the parties known to be 
concerned and providing evidence to back up their 
position. 
In addition, the Commission will hear parties which 
so request when stating their views in writing, provided 
they are likely to be affected by the outcome of the 
investigation proceeding. 
This notice is published in accordance with Article 6 (1) 
(a) of the abovementioned Regulation. 
O OJNoL35, 9.2. 1982, p. 1.