Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-07-07-Speech-4-050"
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"en.20050707.5.4-050"2
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"Mr President, I too should like to express my sympathy to all the victims. Since 1 January 2005, WTO members can no longer impose quotas on textile and clothing imports. The impact of this measure on the European market has proven to be enormous, both for importers and producers. It is a good thing that the Commission has engaged in dialogue as a means of finding a solution to this dilemma, for by doing so, it has given the European producers some breathing space – no more than that, and nor can it be more than that, for the WTO does not allow any more and is not expected to change its position.
European producers will now have to come up with a real response to the new situation. We need a strategic response to the problems in the long term, because the European textiles and clothing sector, and not that sector alone, has a structural problem. There are many products that are, or can be, produced more cheaply in China, or maybe in other countries too. It is also a fact that China fails to adhere to the WTO rules, and this is a major problem, particularly in the areas of intellectual property, working conditions, the environment and market access. It is because of this that it can produce more cheaply, and the resulting unfair competition is something that really should be addressed. Compliance with the existing rules must be ensured. Many poorer countries have, in recent years, become hugely dependent on the textiles and clothing sector, and they, too, are seeing jobs disappear as they struggle to compete with China. We must prevent the least developed countries from becoming the biggest losers.
Too little consideration, moreover, is being given to the interests of importers and producers who, in response to the post-2005 situation, have entered into financial commitments, sometimes major ones. They should not become the victim of a rescue operation in a section of the production industry. They are entitled to predictability and legal certainty.
Finally, we can, of course, protect our trade position, but always in line with the WTO, and showing due responsibility towards poor countries, and in respect of fair trade, human rights, and the environment. I might add that all WTO members should, in fact, do likewise. My compliments to Mrs Saïfi."@en1
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