Public consultation on the granting of market economy status to China - protests from the footwear sector

12.4.2016

Question for written answer E-002948-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
João Ferreira (GUE/NGL)

The Portuguese footwear industry, which is represented by the Apiccaps (representing Portuguese manufacturers of footwear, components, leather and leather substitute products), has recently expressed concern regarding serious irregularities in the public consultation procedure for the granting of market economy status to China, expressing dissatisfaction with the quantity and quality of the information made available, pointing to the existence of manifest shortcomings in the impact assessment procedure, etc.

If anti-dumping procedures are undermined by price and cost distortions, existing defence mechanisms will be rendered ineffective, effectively tantamount to the granting of market economy status. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the future ‘additional measures’ referred to could substantially alleviate a potentially devastating blow to the European footwear industry.

The wording of the online questionnaire (with closed-ended questions) and the arbitrary selection of possible outcomes are obviously intended to predetermine the final results.

In view of this:

Can the Commission give details regarding its intended response to criticisms of the consultation procedure relating to the proposed measures? In particular, it is willing to amend and correct this procedure and the related impact assessment?