Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-11-20-Speech-2-622-000"
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"en.20121120.33.2-622-000"2
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".
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I think we have had a good debate today in Parliament on the issues of industry, growth and employment, which, as the Commissioner pointed out just now, began this morning with the plenary debate with Commissioners Tajani and Andor and has effectively continued, because we talked about energy for a long time, addressing the problems faced by the automotive industry. We will now continue with a question I submitted on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and which will be discussed here this evening.
We were given assurances that in December we would have a solution to this problem, and I believe that everything we voted on yesterday at the start of the session reinforces the attention Europe is paying to this issue. There is no doubt that a host of industrial activities are linked to the European steel industry: on the one hand, upstream, the steel, iron, cast iron and iron alloy industry, and on the other, downstream, all of the industries that use these products, particularly the automotive, mechanical engineering, building, piping and metal goods sectors, as well as maritime and naval shipbuilding, domestic appliances, chemicals and other sectors.
To maintain an active and competitive steel industry is vital for the future of Europe and its citizens. Even by early 2000, Europe had already lost its supremacy, beaten by China to the top spot. In recent years, the European Union has chosen to invest heavily in environmental issues – and that is a choice we approve of – but this has doubtless led to rising costs in this sector, together with an increase in commodity prices and rocketing energy costs – let us not forget that in Europe, electricity costs 100 % more than in the United States – and for some Member States, higher borrowing costs.
In 2007, European steel production reached an all-time high, with 406 000 workers directly employed in the sector and in related activities. During the period 2007-2011, we saw a 10.6 % fall in employment, and today the industry employs 363 000 workers. These are rather discouraging figures, particularly for 2012. The most worrying figure is the sharp decline in production in sectors closely linked to steel; in other words, automotive and construction, which last year alone recorded a fall in production of 3.2 %. Non-European imports are steadily rising. The administrative burden that European manufacturers must bear is high and gives rise to additional costs that reduce our capacity for investment in innovation and research, at times even resulting in relocation.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves if, alongside the new strategy for industrial policy that the Commission has recently adopted, there is a need for sector policies, which seek to intervene on a case-by-case basis to reverse damaging trends that Europe can no longer afford. We know that the Commission is working on an action plan for the steel industry: what stage is this at? Having welcomed the CARS 2020 Action Plan, we would also like to see an operational plan for the steel industry that can be implemented immediately.
It is perhaps worth considering whether policies could be introduced that would fully enable our strategic companies to respond to global competition. To be innovative, we should imagine the re-industrialisation of Europe being accompanied by a set of policies that need our support, such as research and innovation, which is an essential tool. However, I would also like to mention the need for a review of competition policy, which was drawn up in the 1990s and perhaps does not take into account the need for Europe’s economy to deal with a global market and global competition. The completion of the internal market is essential in order to bring down the cost of energy and special attention must be given to trade agreements with third countries.
To conclude, we should perhaps also ask ourselves whether it is worth reinstating a Council dedicated solely to industry, returning to the situation prior to 2002."@en1
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