WRITTEN QUESTION P-2656/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (8 October 1996)

Subject: Anti-dumping measure for cotton textiles

The European Commission is proposing anti-dumping duties on the import of raw cotton (unprocessed) textiles from a number of third countries (Pakistan 27.9%, Indonesia 16.9%, Egypt 13.3%, etc.).

Initially the proposal covered category 2MFA, i.e. all cotton textiles both raw and processed (dyed, bleached, whitened, etc.).

The final proposal includes only some of these products, i.e. raw cotton textiles, and no longer includes processed cotton. This measure would obviously upset the Commission's plans and in fact it would not only bring no benefit to European producers of raw cotton but adversely affect all the firms working in the textile treatment sector.

Can the Commission ensure that the anti-dumping measures are extended to the whole 2MFA category or else suspend the provision and discuss the issue in greater detail with organizations representing the textile industry?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1996)

The question refers to two distinct anti-dumping proceedings which have been initiated by the Commission following the respective complaints lodged by the Community industry, which defined the scope of the investigation in respect to the product and the countries concerned. The first concerned cotton fabrics in general (both bleached and unbleached) imported from China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey and was terminated in February 1996, after the withdrawal of the complaint by the Community producers. The second refers exclusively to flat unbleached cotton fabrics containing at least 85% in weight of cotton and includes, in addition to the countries mentioned above, also Egypt.

This second proceeding is currently under investigation by the Commission and - after intensive investigations performed in co-operation with the producers and exporters of the countries concerned - is at a stage of consultations within the Commission to decide if provisional anti-dumping measures should be applied. If provisional measures are to be imposed this should be done no later than 21 November 1996.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that in order to decide on the necessity, or otherwise, for protective measures, the Community interest will be carefully considered as a whole, including the interests of its domestic industry, users and consumers. For this purpose ample opportunity is given by the anti-dumping legal framework i.e., the basic anti-dumping Regulation ((Council Regulation (EC) N° 384/96 of 22.12.1995, OJ L 56, 6.3.1996. )) to all interested parties to come forward and express their views.

Concerning the question on bleached, printed or dyed cotton fabrics, the attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the fact that the Regulation only allows the Commission to initiate an investigation - and consequently to propose the imposition of any measures - upon presentation of a properly documented complaint by the Community industry. Therefore, without such complaint, there is no legal ground for an extension of any anti-dumping measures to all multifibre arrangement category 2 products.

The only other current proceeding involving cotton concerns bed-linen imported from Egypt, India and Pakistan and was started on 13 September 1996.