Problems in the Italian textile industry

7.4.2004

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1197/04
by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

1. Is the Commission aware of the desperate situation facing the Italian textile sector because of uncontrolled and uncontrollable imports of products from China, which fail to comply with quality standards – particularly in the use of dyes known to be carcinogenic and prohibited in Italy for years – and which are destroying small and medium-sized businesses in particular?

 

2. Why are small and medium-sized Italian businesses, which do not receive national or Community aid, obliged to comply with strict internal and external controls, involving costs that have become unsustainable and uncompetitive compared to the lax or non-existent regulations in force in China, which nonetheless allow the products concerned into Italy?

 

3. Is there any legislation on the basis of which the Commission can take action to ensure that imports from China are turned back by Community Customs in order to protect EU textile products?

 

4. Why does the Commission not finally take measures to tackle the problem and ban imports of textile products which fail to comply with EU quality standards and are doing irreversible damage to our businesses?