MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

5.12.2007

further to Question for Oral Answer B6‑0383/2007
pursuant to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Cristiana Muscardini, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Roberta Angelilli and Ryszard Czarnecki
on behalf of the UEN Group
on textiles

B6‑0507/2007

European Parliament resolution on textiles

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Memorandum of Understanding concluded in June 2005 between China and the Commission, expiring on 1 January 2008,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on this matter, and in particular that of 6 September 2005 on textiles and clothing after 2005[1],

–  having regard to its Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas China represents the biggest importer of textiles and clothing into the European Union, with a figure of around 5 million tonnes in the period January-August 2007, an increase of 24% compared to the previous year,

B  whereas the transitional measures provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding with China, which is the world's leading producer and top importer to the European Union, will expire by the end of this year and the last restrictions on textile trades will lapse,

C.  whereas the European Union and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade decided on a system of joint import surveillance for the year 2008,

D.  whereas following the accession of China to the WTO, the WTO members were authorised to adopt special safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on Chinese exports until the end of 2008 if the market were to be disrupted,

E.  whereas, in most cases, the textile sector is concentrated in a number of regions that are disadvantaged in terms of unemployment and economic development, and whereas the sector is mainly composed of small enterprises,

F.  whereas seeking better market access conditions in third countries for the EU textile and clothing industry is vital for the future of the textile and footwear sector,

G.  whereas ensuring access to raw materials is also a key factor for the development of the sector in the future,

H.  whereas it is extremely important to continue modernising and redeveloping the textile industry as well as for innovation, research, training and social measures to assist with possible changes in the world market,

I.  whereas 70% of all counterfeit goods entering into the European market come from China and half of all European customs procedures against counterfeiting relate to textiles and clothing,

J.  whereas the existing trade defence instruments ( anti-dumping and anti-subsidy) should continue to be an important tool to tackle illegal imports from third countries, especially for the textile and clothing sector which has now lost the quota protection,

K.  whereas bilateral agreements with China should offer the opportunity to monitor the effects of complete liberalisation as well as a constant assessment of China-EU trade exchanges,

L.  whereas the termination of this 'quota system', as shown by recent radical changes in trends as regards imports into the EU market, risks also having an impact on clothing and textile sectors in developing countries, and in particular the EU Mediterranean partners,

1.  Is aware that the definitive lifting of the quota system is the result of a legally binding agreement when China joined the WTO system, which in principle should increase the economic ties of both parties;

2.  Considers that the European Union could and should, if necessary, legally use the authorisation to apply safeguard measures until the end of 2008 if legal requirements are met;

3.  Considers the role and function of the High-Level Group, which should ensure oversight of a surveillance system by double-checking Chinese exports to the EU, to be extremely important; in this respect, calls on the Commission to guarantee proper implementation of this double checking and considers that a surveillance system should be extended beyond 2008;

4.  Calls on the Commission to exert political and economic pressure on the Chinese authorities for a relaxation of the artificially undervalued Chinese currency which facilitates the massive flow of Chinese clothing and textile imports;

5.  Calls on the Commission to assess and implement a practical plan to assist restructuring and retraining the textile sector and in particular the small companies largely affected by the liberalisation of the market; considers it essential to take measures to support technological innovation; calls on the Commission to use the Globalisation Adjustment Fund in a substantial way for the restructuring and retraining of the textile sector;

6.  Is concerned at the current high tariff and non-tariff barriers in third countries, which avoids effective competition in world markets and limits the access of the European clothing and textile industry, mainly for small companies in the sector;

7.  Is concerned at systematic violations of Intellectual Property Rights or the low level of the existing laws in third countries which can lead in the specific sector of clothing to serious risks for consumers' health;

8.  Calls on the Commission to address the two issues of unjustified obstacles to market access and violation of IPRs, notably counterfeiting, at a multilateral and bilateral level;

9.  Considers that binding rules on origin marking for textiles imported from third countries should be applied and, in this respect, calls on the Council to adopt the pending proposal for a regulation;

10.  Considers the utilisation of Trade Defence Instruments (in particular anti-dumping and anti-subsidy) as a legitimate tool to react, under the aegis of the WTO, against illegal imports from third countries; calls on the Commission not to make unilateral reforms to the system which would render more complicated the opening of an investigation and the adoption of measures in this field;

11.  Fears that the complete liberalisation of the clothing and textile market could force many companies to close their plants in Europe and transfer their activities outside the European Union, with serious social and economic consequences in some traditional textile areas;

12.  Calls on the Commission to address the issue of researching for appropriate and viable sources of raw materials for textiles in its trade policy both at bilateral and multilateral level;

13.  Calls on the Commission to encourage the Mediterranean countries to take the necessary steps allowing effective and proper functioning of the EuroMed integration, including more complete South-South integration in order to reduce the consequences of the liberalisation of the textile market;

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

• [1]  Texts adopted, P6_TA(2005)0321