Motion for a resolution - B7-0541/2012Motion for a resolution
B7-0541/2012

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the crisis in the steel sector

5.12.2012 - (2012/2833(RSP))

further to Question for Oral Answer B7‑0368/2012
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure

Roberta Angelilli, Jean-Pierre Audy, András Gyürk, Lena Kolarska‑Bobińska, Franck Proust, Herbert Reul, Amalia Sartori, Theodor Dumitru Stolojan, Salvatore Tatarella on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0541/2012

Procedure : 2012/2833(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0541/2012
Texts tabled :
B7-0541/2012
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0541/2012

European Parliament resolution on the crisis in the steel sector

(2012/2833(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the fact that the EU Treaty has its roots in the ECSC Treaty,

–   having regard to the fact that, following the end of the ECSC Treaty, the coal and steel sectors are governed by the provisions of the EU Treaty,

–   having regard to the fact that one of the European Union’s objectives is to support the steel industry and to make it competitive and responsive to changing European and non‑European market conditions,

–   having regard to the fact that the steel industry is essential for growth and prosperity in Europe,

–   having regard to the fact that the European steel industry is suffering from a substantial drop in demand, which is causing a progress loss of jobs and competitiveness,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on the steel industry and the restructuring, transfer and closure of companies in the European Union,

–   having regard to the Commission communication of 2 February 2011 entitled ‘Tackling the challenges in commodity markets and on raw materials’ (COM(2011)0025),

–   having regard to the Europe 2020 strategy,

–   having regard to the Commission communication of 10 October 2012 entitled ‘A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery’ (COM(2012)0582),

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas it is in the interest of the whole European Union to preserve the activities that make up its industrial fabric and to ensure security of energy supply through domestic production;

B.  whereas the steel industry plays a key role in the European economy, and whereas a competitive European steel industry forms the backbone of development and value creation for many major industrial sectors;

C. whereas the sector is facing strong competition in the global market, mainly from non-EU countries that operate under different regulations and standards, as well as difficult access to raw materials and higher costs;

D. whereas in recent years the steel industry has faced challenges in terms of restructuring and industrial mergers;

E.  whereas the high-technology industries – as exemplified in the steel sector – are seen as a model of technological know-how, and must therefore be protected by taking immediate action to avoid their delocalisation outside of EU territory;

1.  Asks the Commission to provide, in the short term, a clear picture of the situation as regards the major changes occurring in the steel industry in Europe; stresses that it is important for the Commission to monitor ongoing developments carefully in order to safeguard Europe’s industrial heritage and the workforce involved;

2.  Recalls that the Commission is entitled, following the expiration of the ECSC Treaty, to address the economic and social impact of developments in the European steel industry;

3.  Calls on the Commission to undertake careful reflection on medium- and long-term initiatives to support and retain the steel industry;

4.  Believes that the Commission must give greater importance to industrial policy in order to revive the competitiveness of European industry vis-à-vis the global market with a view to guaranteeing a level playing field while ensuring high social and environmental standards;

5.  Calls on the Commission to renew the prior surveillance mechanism provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1241/2009 of 16 December 2009[1], which will otherwise expire on 31 December 2012;

6.  Believes that European economic recovery also depends on a stronger manufacturing industry, in which steel plays a key role, and that investment in research and innovation is crucial to its relaunch and renewal;

7.  Welcomes the Commission’s initiative of developing a European Action Plan for the steel sector by 2013, but stresses the need to have it presented as soon as possible;

8.  Calls on the Commission to take concrete measures to reduce energy costs in the medium and long term, especially for the energy-intensive industries, and also to encourage the establishment of business consortia;

9.  Calls on the Commission to assess the feasibility of introducing quality certification for steel-related products;

10. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely developments in the establishments located in Florange, Liège, Terni, Targoviste, Schifflange, Piombino, Campia Turzii, Rodange, Otelu Rosu, Trieste and elsewhere whose continued existence in their present form is at risk, in order to be sure that the competitiveness of the European steel sector and its importance as a sector of employment are not threatened;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.