EU to continue investigation without provisional duties imposition
16 Mar '06
3 min read
The European Footwear Association of Importers and Retailchains (FAIR) Blasts the EU Commission's Anti-Dumping Investigation Against Footwear as Being Faulty and Biased.
The EU Commission's proposal to introduce anti-dumping duties against imports of footwear from China and Vietnam has been intensely criticized from many sides. Now the European industry association for shoe retailers and importers (FAIR) points to the fact that not only would duties have catastrophic results for consumers and the footwear industry, but the investigation itself contains major factual gaps and errors.
The association thus urgently appeals to the EU Member States to reject the Commission proposal and to require a much more thorough and objective investigation.
According to FAIR President Paul Verrips: "We have the working document of the Commission before us, and the mistakes made in the evaluation of the results are outrageous. The shoe business is very complex. Many basic facts are ignored or taken out of context, resulting in misleading conclusions."
"To base a decision upon such an investigation is irresponsible, not only to consumers but also to the employees in the footwear industry, who are the ones who will suffer from import duties."
FAIR represents the interests of over more than 100 EU companies active in the design, import and retail of footwear with over 90.000 employees. Amongst the members are companies such as Columbia (France, USA), Clarks (United Kingdom), Deichmann (Germany), Wortmann (Germany), Leder & Schuh (Austria), Skechers (USA), Schoenenreus (Netherlands) and Vivarte (France).
marketing@alchempro.com
