WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1128/98 by Paul RÜBIG to the Commission. Imports of linen yarn from the People's Republic of China
Date: 1998-04-08
Institutions: European Parliament, RUEBIG
Subjects: China, export licence, export monitoring, flax, import (EU), quantitative restriction, tariff quota, textile fibre













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91998E1128

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1128/98 by Paul RÜBIG to the Commission. Imports of linen yarn from the People's Republic of China  


Official Journal C 402 , 22/12/1998 P. 0077 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1128/98by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission(8 April 1998)Subject: Imports of linen yarn from the People's Republic of ChinaEuropean production of linen yarn fell from 25 000 tonnes in 1994 to 15 000 tonnes in 1996. Of the two dozen of so European producers of linen yarn, the two largest flax spinners are in Austria and Italy.A key reason for this crisis was the sudden occurrence of large-scale imports of linen yarn from the People's Republic of China in 1993 and 1994. China is, however, subject to import quotas for flax yarn under customs headings 5306.10 and 5306.20 in the form of an annual Community maximum amount of 450 tonnes. Nonetheless, according to calculations, in 1993 the European Union registered imports from the People's Republic of China of 1 857 tonnes and in 1994 of 1 513 tonnes. For 1994 there were imports to Italy of 628 tonnes and to Belgium of 637 tonnes, which alone could represent a massive overshoot of the Community maximum.The fact that the import situation calmed down again in 1995 and 1996 is explained by the lack of demand for Chinese linen yarn as a result of the collapsed market. However this situation could change rapidly given the signs of recovery in the European linen industry.Can the Commission therefore give full details of the reasons for the possible breaching of these EU maximum quantities?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission(7 May 1998)The products in question, together with ramie yarn, belong to the textile category 115, which was made subject to an autonomous Community quota of 450 tonnes by Council Regulation (EC) 517/94 of 7 March 1994 on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Community import rules(1) for March to December 1994.That quota has been replaced, since 1 January 1995, by the quantitative limits negotiated under the current Community-China bilateral agreement on trade in textiles and clothing made of fibres other than cotton, wool and man-made fibres, which is due to expire on 31 December 1998.Concerning imports of these products in 1994, recorded imports of 1 513 tonnes exceeded the quota established for that year. This was due to the fact that goods shipped in 1993, and which therefore were not covered by the quota established for 1994, were counted in the Community statistics, together with imports of the same goods under the quota regime for 1994.As regards 1995, 1996 and 1997, imports have always been within the agreed limits. Shipments of the products concerned are subject to a double checking system and, in particular, following its establishment, on 28 October 1996, also to an electronic link-up between the Chinese offices which issue export licences covering these products and the Community system for the electronic issue of licences (SIGL). The Community authorities issue import licences for the products in question only if requests by importers fall within the available quota for the year in question.(1) OJ L 67, 10.3.1994.