Raw materials

31.3.2004

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1105/04
by Massimo Carraro (PSE)
to the Commission

The prices of many raw materials such as aluminium, copper, coke and scrap metal, which are crucial for a whole range of industrial production processes essential to the European economy, have risen sharply causing production problems.

 

This situation affecting the European steel market is largely due to measures taken by China which, despite joining the WTO, has maintained quantitative trade restrictions.

 

Does the European Commission not consider that it is necessary to:

 

1. intervene as a matter of urgency to restrict exports of scrap metal from Europe, possibly introducing a licensing requirement, so as to prevent a further surge in the cost of steel?

 

2. call on China to abolish all quantitative trade restrictions now that it is a member of the WTO and has undertaken to abide by its rules?

 

3. introduce a system at Community level to monitor the situation in the steel industry so as to tackle the economic disadvantages facing European producers and prevent speculation on the cost of raw materials?