Brussels, 05/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Given the importance of industrial products in EU exports (nearly 75%), gross added value (GAV - nearly 30%) and employment (nearly 30%), the Socialists and Democrats of the European Parliament are calling for greater commitment on the part of member states and the European Commission to draw EU industrial and trade strategies together. “A profound economic crisis has hit European industry leaving many Europeans unemployed, and not enough has been done so far”, French MEP Kader Arif said on Wednesday at the opening of a conference attended on 4 May by policy-makers and stakeholders. Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani, the key guest speaker at the event, underlined the need to assess the impact that any free trade agreement negotiated would have on EU industry - before signing it. “This is a crucial point, and the S&D Group calls for this impact assessment to take place at the earliest possible moment, well before the signing stage. Indeed, trade should not be a goal in itself but a tool for prosperity both in developed and developing countries. This is why we S&D members have fought for the inclusion of human rights, environmental, social and labour standards in all free trade agreements signed by the EU”, Arif stressed. His colleague, Bernd Lange of Germany, therefore calls for the creation of a permanent industrial policy task force to be set up to ensure the coherence and effectiveness of all EU and member state policies. He said “the process should be transparent and open to social partners”. “The new global market offers new opportunities to European industry, but our companies need re-orientation and the right political framework to be successful and to create quality jobs. We must ensure that European industries are no longer endangered by unfair practices and guarantee reciprocal regulation for its businesses”, Lange stressed, calling for “measures to combat non-tariff barriers, unfair state aid, and monetary, social and ecological dumping practices”. (E.H./transl.jl)