Crisis in the high-quality knitwear (cashmere) sector

28.4.2004

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1425/04
by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

1. Is the Commission aware of the crisis affecting the Umbrian high-quality knitwear (cashmere) sector, which has led to businesses discontinuing production and becoming bankrupt?

 

2. Does the Commission know that the small and medium-sized craft industries in this sector in Umbria are now faced with unregulated competition not only from foreign firms, but also from other Italian companies, which are increasingly often relocating to countries with lower production costs (China, south-east Asia, etc.)?

 

3. Why does the Commission not mobilise its inspection services to ascertain that ESF funding is used exclusively for the vocational training of workers in the high-quality knitwear industry (with secure job prospects) rather than for the employment of trainers who are totally unqualified to work in this sector?

 

4. Does the Commission not consider that in view of such blatant violations steps should be taken to cut the aid granted or about to be granted and to report this misuse of funding to the Italian judiciary?