Brussels, 13/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - A resolution calls on the Commission to take the situation of the steel sector into account in its current re-examination of state aid, to closely monitor the evolution of threatened sites, and to present a European action plan as quickly as possible. The far Left considers that this text is insufficient.
In a joint resolution of the EPP and S&D Groups - adopted by 351 votes to 125 with 34 abstentions in Strasbourg on Thursday 13 December - the European Parliament urges the EU to support its steel sector, which is suffering in the crisis and in the face of fierce competition from emerging countries (the EU exported 33.7 million tonnes of steel for €32 billion, and imported 26.8 million tonnes for €18 billion in 2010) and whose manpower fell from 1 million in 1970 to 369,000 in 2012.
The Parliament called on the Commission to take the steel industry into account in its re-examination of state aid. The Commission is asked to ensure that the restructuring and relocation of steel companies is carried out in compliance with EU competition law, and to monitor potential abuses of dominant market positions. The development of the situation in plants in Florange (France), Liège (Belgium), Rodange and Schifflange (Luxembourg), and in other member states must be closely monitored, in the Parliament's view. The Parliament calls on the companies that are restructuring to act in a socially responsible manner, with sufficient social dialogue.
The MEPs welcome the Commission's initiative to deliver a European action plan for the steel sector but want it to be presented as soon as possible. European Commissioner for Industry Antonio Tajani has promised an action plan by June 2013 (see EUROPE 10693). The Commission is asked to review its decision not to extend beyond 31 December 2012 the surveillance system for imports of certain steel products. Lastly, the Parliament calls for the action plan to include all available tools - increased R&D and innovation spending, targeted investments by the European Investment Bank, a skills policy, and the possible use of other instruments such as the European Social Fund and the European Globalisation Fund.
“European steel deserves more than incantations!”, deplores Jacky Hénin MEP (GUE/NGL, France), who is the rapporteur on the file for the GUE/NGL Group. “While the European steel industry is the victim of unprecedented financial bloodsucking, is confronted with very unfair competition, and is the object of an organised robbery and a pillage of know-how, the only proposals that exist stop at our appealing to the Commission to wish the industry well. This position is absolutely not up to the challenge, and it gives free rein to the destructive resolve of international groups like Mittal”, he fumes in a press release. “The steel industry, like European industry, needs other answers - answers that first take into consideration the needs of employees and people, before answering to international groups' imperatives of financial profitability”, Hénin concluded (our translation throughout). (EH/transl.fl)