CELEX: 51976PC0017
Language: en
Date: 1976-01-21
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC) BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OF FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS OF LEATHER IMPORTED FROM FINLAND, ICELAND, AUSTRIA, NORWAY, SWITZERLAND, SWEDEN. (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (76) 17
Vol. 1976/0011
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                COM(76 ) 17 final .
                                                Brussels , 21 January 197°
    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC ) BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING
    IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OF FOOTWEAR
    WITH UPPERS OF LEATHER IMPORTED FROM FINLAND , ICELAND , AUSTRIA ,
    NORWAY , SWITZERLAND , SWEDEN .
              ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
    COM ( 76 ) 17 final
 ---pagebreak---                   EXPLANATORY              MEMORANDUM             .
 SAFEGUARD MEASURES REGARDING IMPORTS OP SHOES INTO IRELAND FRCM THE
                            EFTA COUNTRIES
                                 \
        On 1 December 1975 Ireland applied to the Commission for authorisation
 to take protective measures under Article 135 of the Act concerning the
 Conditions of Accession and Adjustments to the Treaties of 22 January 1972
 in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather (CCT heading 64.02A)
On 22 December 1975 "the Commission , "by Decision No           authorised Ireland
to apply as from 1 January 19?6"the following rates of duty on this product ,
 instead of the lower rates foreseen by the Act of Accession:       imports froia
the United Kingdom –       imports from the other Member States – 18 .5        full
rate – 23.5$.
        According to the relevant provisions of the Agreements "between the
Community and Switzerland , Austria , Iceland and Sweden signed on 22 July
1972 , Norway , signed on 16 May 1973 , and Finland , signed on 5 October 1 973 »
duties on imports of this product into Ireland originating in these six
countries should "be reduced from 21 , 6fo to 10 .8% ELS from 1 January 1976 .
Thus , if no corresponding corrective action were taken Ireland would be
granting these countries a considerable preference over the other Member
States except the United Kingdom as regards the conditions for imports of
footwear with uppers of leather .
        Since the Agreements between the Community and these six countries
provided for a timetable of tairiff reductions on this product which is
identical to the timetable of tariff reductions in the Act of Accession , the
Commission propose sjthat a safeguard measure should be applied in the context
of each of these six Agreements , so that imports of shoes from these six
countries are subject to the same duty as those from the other Member States
except the United Kingdom, from 1 January 1976 "to 30 June 197^. ; This duty
would be 18 .5%     This is the purpose of the six draft Decisions now              J
proposed by the Commission to the Council .                          :
 ---pagebreak---                                     –2–
         As regards the Agreement between the Community and Portugal , Ireland
  obtained by virtue of Article 3 of Protocol Ho 1 a slower timetable for
 tariff disarmament on shoes .    In fact , according to the provisions of this
  article the reduction to be ma.de on the basic duty of 54/j is only 25fo as
 on 1 January 1976 , resulting in a duty of 40 * 5$ •   Since this provision
 i;ould result in granting Portugal less favourable treatment than other
 third countries the Irish customs authorities are currently applying to
 imports of shoes originating in Portugal the common customs tariff for
 imports from third countries .    Consequently the duty effectively applied
by Ireland as regards Portugal is 23.5 33 from 1.1.76 ( instead of 40*5^)
as laid down by the EEC~Portugal Agreement ).      In these conditions there is
no need to invoke a safeguard clause as regards Portugal .
1
  The Commission has pointed out this anomaly to the Portuguese authorities
  who consider that they have no interest in the modification of Article 3
  because they have no trade vrith Ireland in the products in question .
 ---pagebreak---  PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC)No. - /76 BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING                J
  IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS
 OP T.ttATOire IMPORTED FRCM FINLAND"'
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,  ;
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European. Economic Community ;
Having regard to Regulation (EEC ) 3288/73    "the Council of3 D e cwintos-r.~1 973?
concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement "between the
European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland in particular
Article 4 «                                      :- v'
Having, regard to the proposal of the Commission ;
Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5»000 persons
in 1973 to approximately 3»500 ia October 1975 * with a further loss of 310
jobs forecast as imminent ; whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only
local source of employment ;
Whereas production declined by 30$ in the first half of 1975 compared with
the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third quarter of
1975 » whereas exports for the first three-quarters of 1975 dropped by 20$
compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from 34* 1$ in 1973
to 41.8$ in 1974 , to 45.4$ in January-March 1975 * 52»1$ in April-June 1975
and 51*4$ in July-September 1975i
Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
of the economic situation of this region of" the Community;
   O.J.   Nr L 338 of 7 December '1973
 ---pagebreak---  Whereas it is therefore necessary to maintain temporarily an adequate level
 of tariff protection in Ireland for this industry ;    \
 Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 1976 until 30 June 1976 ,
 following authorisation "by the Commission in its Decision of 22 December
 1975 ? "the following rates of duty :
                            United Kingdom         9*0^
                            other Member States   18.5/&
                            full rate             23»5$>
Whereas it is appropriate to take similar measures as regards imports of
this product from Finlan^^ accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement .
between the European Economic Community and . Finlanllof 5 October 1973
which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
Article 3 paragraph 2 of this Agreement f according to which the duty applied
by Ireland to imports of this product from Finland [should otherwise be
reduced to 10„8$ or £0.0? per pair whichever is the greater :
                          1                         !
Whereas consultations have been held with Finland tin. accordance with Article
27 of the EEC– F inlandAgreement ;
HAS ' DECIDED :               \
                                 Article 1
Ireland is authorised to apply until 30 June 197^ a rate of duty of 18»5tQ
in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather under common
customs heading 64*02$ originating in Finland . .: _l
                                Article 2
This decision is addressed to Ireland®
  0oJ .       L 328 of 28 November 1973
 ---pagebreak--- . ν
     PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC) No.       fl6 BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING .   {
     IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS : "J
     OF LEATHER IMPORTED FROM ICELAND}
    THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES t
    Having regard "to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ;
    Having regard to Regulation (EEC) 2843/7^0f the Council of 19 December 1972
    concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement between the
                                          ■n           ~ Iceland
    European Economic Community and the       PUD1 . f 1      U i*1 particular
    Article 4 «
   Having, regard to the proposal of the Commission ;
   Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
   disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5,000 persons
    in 1973 to approximately 3»500 in October 1975 » with a further loss of 310
    jobs forecast as imminent ;  whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
    situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only
    local source of employment ;
   Whereas production declined by 30$ in the first half of 1975 compared with
   the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third quarter of
    1975 » whereas exports for the first three-quarters of 1975 dropped by 20fo
   compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from 34«1$ in 1973
   to 41.8$ in 1974 , to 45»4$ in January-March 1975t 52.1$ in April-June 1975
   and 51*4$ in July-September 1 975 i
   Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
   of the economic situation of this region of the Community ;
      O.J.  Nr L 301 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---                 .'              '     - ~-                     * v .-s '         -• \
  Whereas it is therefore necessary to maintain temporarily an adequate level f
  of tariff protection in Ireland for this industry ;
 Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 1976 until 30 June 1976 ,
 following authorisation "by the Commission in its Decision of 22 December
 1975 , the following rates of duty :
                               United Kingdom            9*0%
                                other Member States     18.5%
                                full rate               23.5%
 Whereas it is appropriate to take similar measures as regards imports of
 this product from ^ CCx - ' ar5| in accordance with Article 2 7 of the Agreement
 between the European Economic Community and Iceland of 22 July 1972^,
 which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
 Article 3 paragraph 2 of this Agreement , according to which the duty applied
 by Ireland to imports of this product from Iceland Jshould otherwise be
 reduced to 10 . 8% or £0-09 Per pair whichever is the greater ;
 Whereas consultations have been held with Iceland 'in accordance with Artiole
 28 of the EEC–I celandl Agreement ;
HAS    D ïSOIDiïl) ;                \
                                       Article 1
Ireland is authorised, to apply until 30 June 197 ^ a rate of duty of l8#5/«
in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather under common
customs heading 64.02$ originating in Iceland -.           j
                                      Article 2
Thi3 decision is addressed to Ireland .
 0.J ,     " 'r L 301 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---  PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC ) Ho .        Jl6 BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING       [
 IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS V.
 OP LEATHER IMPORTED FROM     AUSTRIA
  s
THE COUNCIL OP THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ;
Having regard to Regulation (EEC) 2837/72 \Qf -the Council of ^9 December .^97
concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement "between the
European Economic Community and the Republic Ausj^¥i |f in particular
Article 4^ J
Having, regard to the proposal of the Commission;
Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5»000 persona
in 1973 to approximately 3,500 in October 1 975 » with a further loss of 310
jobs forecast as imminent ; whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only
local source of employment »                                            r
                                    -> '1 •                             n  *1
Whereas production declined by 30?° in the first half of 1975 compared with
the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third quarter of
1975 ; whereas exports for the first three-quarters of 1975 dropped by 20%
compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from , 34»1$ in 1973
to 41 . 8% in 1974 , to 45.4$ in January-March 1 975 * 52* 1$ in April-June 1975
and 5f «4/& in July-September 1975 »
Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
of the economic situation of this region of the Community ;             :>  !
  O.J.    Nr L 300 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---   Whereas it is therefore necessary to maintain temporarily an adequate level
   of tariff protection in Ireland for this industry ;    \
 Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 1976 until 30 June 1976 ,
 following authorisation by the Commission in its Decision of 22 December
  1 975 , the following rates of duty :
                             United Kingdom           9*0^
                             other Member States     18.5%
                             full rate               23®5
 Whereas it is appropriate to take similar measures as regards imports of
 this product from MU" trj_a ] in accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement
 between the European Economic Community and Austrial of 22 July 19722 ,
 which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
 Article 3 paragraph 2 of this Agreement , according to which the duty applied
 by Ireland to imports of this product from Austria]should otherwise be
 reduced to 10.8$ or £0.09 Per pair whichever is the greater ;
 Whereas consultations have been held with Austria lin accordance with Article
 27 of the EEC– AustriciAgreement ;
HAS                •
                                  Article 1
Ireland is authorised to apply until 30 June 1976 a rate of duty of 18.5,<»
in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather under common
customs heading 64*02$ originating in Austria .. |
                                 Article 2
This decision is addressed to Ireland.
20 J       Nr L 300 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---  PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC ) No.     /l6 BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING
  IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES HI RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS
 OF LEATHER IMPORTED FRCM NORWAY/
 THE
 THE COUNCIL
     COUNCIL OF
             OF THE
                THE EUROPEAN
                    EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ;
Having regard to Regulation (EEC ) 1 ^92/7> \of the Council of ■ 25vJga
concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement "between the
European Economic Community and the Kingdoms-      Norway |f in particular
Article 4%
Having regard to the proposal of the Commission ;
Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5,000 persons
in 1973 to approximately 3,500 in October 1975 t with a further loss of 310
jobs forecast as imminent ; whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only
local source of employment ;                                         r   ^
Whereas production declined by 30$ in the first half of 1975 compared with
the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third quarter of
1975 ? whereas exports for the first three-quarters of 1975 dropped by 20$
compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from 34*1$ in 1973
to 41-8$ in 1974 » to 45-4$ in January-March 1975 ? 52.1$ in April-June 1975
and 51*4$ in July-September 1 975 »
                                                                     ο
Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
of the economic situation of this region of the Community ;
  O.J.   Nr L 171 of 27 June 1973
 ---pagebreak---   Whereas it is therefore necessary to maintain temporarily an adequate level
   of tariff protection in Ireland for this industry ;     \
  Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 1976 until 30 June 1976 ,
  following authorisation by th9 Commission in its Decision of 22 December
  1975 , the following rates of duty :
                              United Kingdom        $.0%
                               other Member States 18.55&
                              full rate            23 . 5^
 Whereas it is appropriate 'to take similar measures as regards imports of
 this product from iv0rv;ay |in accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement
                                                         I _          9
 between the European Economic Community and Norway I of 25 June 1973 ,
 which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
 Article 3 paragraph 2 of this Agreement , according to which the duty applied
 by Ireland to imports of this product from Norway jshould otherwise be
 reduced to 10.8fo or £0.09 Per pair whichever is the greater ;
Whereas consultations have been held with Norway !in accordance with Ax-ticle
 27 of the EEC- "T °rwa;yj Agreement ;
HAS     DECIDED                   v
                                     Article 1
Ireland is authorised to apply until 30 June 1976 a rate of duty of 18.5%
in respect of imports of footwear with xippers of leather tinder common
customs heading 64 . 02$ originating in Norway *^.     |
                                               1
                                    Article 2
This decision is addressed to Ireland .
O.J.      " 1" L 171 of 27 June 1 97 3
 ---pagebreak---   PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION (EEC) No.     /76 BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING      .;     j
. IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS
                               j                               '
                                                                               ..~
   OF LEATHER IMPORTED FROM SWITZERLAND
  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ;
 Having regard to Regulation (EEC ) 28\l/72 \of the Council of 19 December '1972
  concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement "between the
 European Economic Community! and the Swiss Confederatriojiii in particular
            1                                  •    '    "                     '
 Article 4 •
 Having regard to the px/oposal of the Commission:
 Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
 disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5»000 persons
 in 1973 to approximately 3»500 in October 1975 » with a further loss of 310
 jobs forecast as imminent ; whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
 situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only
 local source of employment :
                                     n           .     ■               <
 Whereas production declined by 30$ in the first half of 1975 compared with
 the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third quarter of
 1975 ? whereas exports for the first three-quarters of 1975 dropped by 20$
 compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from 34*1$ in 1973
 to 41.8$ in 1974 , to 45.4$ in January-March 1975 » 52.1$ in April-June 1975
 and 51*4$ in July-September 1975 ;
 Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
 of the economic situation of this region of the Community ;
    O.J.   Nr L 300 of ^1 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---   Whereas it is therefore necessary to maintain temporarily an adequate level
  of tariff protection in Ireland, for this industry ;          \
 Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 1976 until 30 June 1976 ,
 following authorisation by the Commission in its Decision of 22 December
 1975 , the following rates of duty ;
                                United Kingdom            9*0f°
                                other Member States      18»5%
                                full rate                23® 5/^
 Whereas it is appropriate to take similar measures as regards imports of
 this product from          ^ze ]j in"accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement
                                                      Switzerland             p
between the European Economic Community and .                I of 22 July 1972 ,
which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
Article 3 paragraph 2 cf this Agreement , according to which the duty applied
                                                   Switzerland
by Ireland to imports of this product from                  |should otherwise be
reduced to 10.8% or £0,09 per pair whichever is the greater j
                                                  Switzerland
Whereas consultations have been hold with                  iin accordance with Article
                 owi t ze "".Land
27 of the EEG-»      . , \ Agreementj
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : \
                                       Article 1
Ireland is authorised to apply until 30 June 1976 a rate of duty of 18.5$
in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather under common
customs heading 64®02/^ originating in Swi >z,<-rland.|».
                                     Article 2
This decision is addressed to Ireland .
2_U o J_ • Mr L 500 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---  PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION" (EEC)No. ;   /iS BY THE COUNCIL AUTHORISING
 IRELAND TO TAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES HI RESPECT OP FOOTWEAR WITH UPPERS
 OF LEATHER IMPORTED FROM SWEDEN:
                                       '
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European. Economic Community;
Having regard to Regulation (EEC) 2839/72. \of the Council of 19" D ec-errrber' 'i972
concerning safeguard measures provided for in the Agreement between the
European Economic Community and the Kingdo^-to _f:' Sw odeftsJ » in particular
Article 4^?
Having regard to the pi/oposal of the Commission ;
Whereas the Irish footwear industry is currently encountering serious
disturbances , involving notably a reduction in employment from 5,000 persons
in 1973 to approximately 3,500 in October 1975 » with a further loss of 310
job3 forecast as imminent ; whereas the Irish footwear sector is mainly
situated in the regions where it often represents the main if not the only ■
local source of employment ;
Whereas production declined by 2>Q% in the first half of 1975 compared with
the same period of 1974 and declined even further in the third (juarter of
1975 » whereas exports for the first three–quarters of 1975 dropped by 20/5
compared with 1974 ; whereas import penetration has risen from 34»1^ in 1973
to 41.83$ in 1974, to 45.4$ in January-March 1975 » 52. 1# in April-June 1975
and 51 -4% in July-September 1975 »
Whereas these developments are liable to bring about a serious deterioration
of the economic situation of this region of the Community;
  °*J* Nr L 300 of 31 December 1972
 ---pagebreak---    Whereas it is therefore neoeaBaury to maintain "temporarily an adequate leva !
   of tariff protection in Ireland for this industry;     \
  Whereas Ireland is applying as from 1 January 197& until 30 June 1976 t
  following authorisation by the Commission in its Decision of 22 December
  1975 , the following rates of duty :
                            United Kingdom            9*0%
                            other Member States      18.5%
                            full rate                23.5$
 Whereas it is appropriate to take similar measures a3 regards imports of
 this product from Sweden i ^n accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement
                                                        1            – _2
 between the European Economic Community and;>j e den I of 22 July 1972 ,
 which would result in a tariff reduction lower than that foreseen by
 Article 3 paragraph 2 of this Agreement , according to which the duty applied
 by Ireland to imports of this product from Sweden (should otherwise be
 reduced to 10.8$ or £0*09 PQr Pair whichever is the greater ?
 Whereas consultations have been held with Sweden lin accordance with Article
 27 of the EEC–Sweden \ Agreement ;
HAS . DECIDED : .             \
                                 Article 1
Ireland is authorised to apply until 30 June 1976 a rate of duty of 18.5>
in respect of imports of footwear with uppers of leather under common
customs heading 64.02$ originating in Sweden* . |
                                Article 2
This decision ia addressed to Ireland .
 2
   0 » J• I\r L ^00 of  1 December 1972