Dump The Duties: EU pushes back footwear vote

03/11/2009 12:00 - 495 Views

The European Commission has delayed the deadline for the crucial vote by EU member states on whether to extend anti-dumping duties to give serious consideration to interested parties’ comments.

The vote on whether to extend the levy - 16.5% on Chinese and 10% on Vietnamese leather footwear – by a further 15 months was set to take place on November 10. It will now take place on November 19.

Anger over the potential extension has mounted in recent weeks as Drapers launched a joint campaign with the British Retail Consortium and backed by the British Footwear Association to stamp out the levy.

Suppliers, retailers and brands have until November 3 to contact their MEPs to lodge their objections to the levy.

International trade consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Emma Ormond said: “The longer this goes on the easier it is for the bully [member states] to pick on those member states which are undecided on the issue.”

29 October 2009 | By Laura Weir

Source: www.drapersonline.com