WRITTEN QUESTION E-2299/01 by Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Anti-dumping of CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) from China.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, anti-dumping duty, competition policy, import (EU), lighting equipment, reduction of gas emissions

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/147

To facilitate and improve the monitoring of Vida, the park has concluded formal agreements with the
Province of Belluno, under which a professional
introductory course on radio range-finding is to be
organised shortly for staff in the Province of Belluno, who will then be able to take part in the monitoring
effort. In addition, if the bear remains in the Province of Belluno there are plans to start up (in conjunction
with the Province of Belluno) a public information drive. It may be mentioned here that public opinion in
the area supports the bear(cid:146)s presence, probably because other bears have already arrived from the East over
the last few years.

(2002/C 81 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2299/01

by Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Anti-dumping of CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) from China

According to the Commission(cid:146)s newly proposed Directive on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, a 30-40 %
energy saving in electricity consumption for lighting (which consumes 14 % of total energy in the tertiary
sector) could be achieved through the use of improved lighting technology. Has the Commission calculated
the consequences of the reduced incentive for a shift to improved lighting due to the price effects of the
antidumping duty on Chinese CFLs?

In relation to the Community(cid:146)s commitments to greenhouse gas reductions, what initiatives does the
Commission intend to take to compensate for the expected reduced dissemination of one of the cheapest
and most efficient means of CO2-reduction, namely CFLs, as a consequence of the likely price effects of the
antidumping duty on Chinese CFLs, cf. a recent SAVE study on dissemination of CFLs? ((cid:146)SAVE project:
4.1031/Z97-030. Dissemination in Order to Eliminate Barriers for Use of Energy Saving Lamps in the
Domestic Sector, Energy Piano, December 2000(cid:146))

Is the Commission satisfied with the level of competition between European producers of CFLs? Given the
is the Commission considering any measures to improve
concentrated structure of
competition?

the industry,

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 2001)

By Regulation (EC) No 1470/2001 of 16 July 2001, the Council imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty
on imports of integrated electronic compact fluorescent lamps (CFL-i) originating in the People(cid:146)s Republic
of China (1). The duties imposed range from 0 % to 66,1 % depending on the manufacturer concerned.

The anti-dumping investigation concluded that the measures are very unlikely to lead to a shortage of
supply, and that consumers will continue to have access to cost advantageous energy saving lamps,
especially given the fact that there are some Chinese exporting producers with relatively low duties and
that no duty was imposed on imports of the largest known Chinese exporting producer, in terms of export
volume. Given this, the Commission sees no need to propose compensatory measures.

As to the level of competition, it should be noted that the purpose of the measure imposing duties is to
restore fair conditions of competition. In any case, a low number of Community producers does not
necessarily mean that there is a low level of competition on the Community market. Given the various
levels of the duties for Chinese exporting producers, it is likely that a significant number of them will
continue to compete both with each other and with the Community producers on the Community market.
In addition, producers of energy saving lamps from other third countries not subject to anti-dumping
duties, particularly Poland and Hungary, are also likely to remain on the market. Therefore,
the
Commission sees no need to consider measures to improve competition.

C 81 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

The Commission would also like to recall the fact that the anti-dumping investigation concluded that the
Community industry had suffered from injurious dumping caused by imports of compact florescent lamps
originating in China. Moreover, Community producers cannot be expected to suffer the consequences of
proven unfair trade practices at the expense of the Community energy and environment policies.

(1) OJ L 195, 19.7.2001.

(2002/C 81 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2303/01

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: European agency for islands

The European Community(cid:146)s first pillar encompasses the creation of a single market in order to fulfil its
objectives, which include a high degree of competitivity and convergence in economic performance,
economic and social cohesion and solidarity between Member States.

The competitivity of firms in island regions which are not among the most remote in the Community but
are nonetheless separate from mainland Europe is seriously compromised by the fact that they incur much
higher transport costs than firms situated elsewhere on the continent and by their lack of access to
railways, motorways and other overland transport systems. This represents a serious handicap in the free-
trade area that is the EU(cid:146)s single market.

One of the functions of European agencies is to facilitate the operation of the European single market by
acting as regulators, offering various services to sectors of industry, etc. The creation of a European agency
for islands is a necessary and appropriate step to compensate for non-remote island regions(cid:146) lack of access
to the free-trade area. Such an agency could also provide assistance on technical matters in connection
with the very specific problems experienced by island regions. It should be noted that more than 14 million
people in Europe live in island regions.

With the creation and management of Imedoc, the Balearic Islands have an experience unique in Europe.
Imedoc is an official institution that has been in existence for a number of years and which brings together
the islands of the western Mediterranean, namely, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and the Balearic Islands. The
Balearic Islands also participate in the Conference of European Island Regions and, through tourism, are
known throughout the Community.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the fact that it is difficult for certain European regions to benefit on
equal terms from one of the EU(cid:146)s key principles,
i.e. the free market and free competition? Does the
Commission agree with the need to establish a European agency for islands? Will it support the creation of
such a body? Would the Commission consider siting such an agency in the Balearic Islands?

How can the Balearic Islands become an official candidate for the seat of the European agency for islands?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2001)

As the Honourable Member knows, the Commission has initiated a study of the situation of islands in the
Union. As part of this study, a database on island regions is to be set up and their situation is to be
analysed objectively: this will involve the measurement and assessment of the problems arising from the
geographical position of islands and of their special needs. The study will include an examination of any
problems which might prevent island-based businesses from taking full advantage of the single market.
There will also be an analysis of the measures and policies developed by the Member States and the Union
to counter any delays in development arising from the geographical position of islands. However, this
scientific study, will not attempt to assess the merits of setting up a European agency for islands.