WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2763/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN , Peter PEX to the Commission. Footwear from China, Indonesia and Thailand
Date: 1996-10-21
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN, PEX
Subjects: Asia, World Trade Organisation, anti-dumping duty, anti-dumping legislation, footwear industry, import, originating product













EUR-Lex - 91996E2763 - EN






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91996E2763

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2763/96 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN , Peter PEX to the Commission. Footwear from China, Indonesia and Thailand  


Official Journal C 072 , 07/03/1997 P. 0078 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2763/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) and Peter Pex (PPE) to the Commission (21 October 1996)Subject: Footwear from China, Indonesia and ThailandHas the anti-dumping committee of the European Union recommended to the Commission a punitive levy on footwear from China, India and Thailand?Did France, Spain and Portugal, for example, argue for this measure on protectionist grounds?What will be the impact of this measure on employment in the exporting countries?What will the consequences be for Dutch shoe-importers and consumers?Can the Commission state why it does not consider the proposed measure to be in breach of the WTO?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1996)Two anti-dumping proceedings concerning footwear are currently being dealt with by the Commission. One concerns certain footwear with leather and plastic uppers originating in the People's Republic of China, Indonesia and Thailand, while the other concerns certain footwear with textile uppers originating in the People's Republic of China and Indonesia. There is no anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of footwear from India.Both proceedings have been discussed within the advisory committee of 17 September 1996. The opinions of delegations in the advisory committee do not prejudge the decision by the Commission on whether to impose provisional anti-dumping duties or not. It is not the Commission's policy to comment on any alleged positions taken by Member States, the consultation of which is covered by confidentiality.The Commission did not study the effect of any measures on employment in the exporting countries as it is the employment situation within the Community which has to be taken into account for the purposes of examining whether injury has been caused to the Community industry.As far as the effect of any duty on importers is concerned, several importers have submitted that anti-dumping measures would have an adverse effect on their business. Before deciding, however, on the imposition of any anti-dumping duty, the Commission will give careful consideration to the interests of importers and consumers as well as the Community producers before deciding whether it is in the Community's interest to take measures.Injurious dumping is condemned under Article VI of the General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) and remedial measures, such as the imposition of anti-dumping duties, are permitted in such circumstances. The anti-dumping proceedings on footwear have been conducted on the basis of the Community's anti-dumping legislation which is in full conformity with the World trade organisation (WTO) anti-dumping agreement.