Brussels, 27/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 June, the European Commission presented an annual report on the implementation of the EU steel action plan to the high-level expert group on the future of the European steel industry. The plan was adopted in June 2013 (see EUROPE 10864) to help the European steel sector address the challenges it is facing (decreased demand, strong global competition and soaring energy bills) and to pave the way for the steel sector's future competitiveness by encouraging innovation.
The Commission's report reveals that the member states have proposed or implemented several measures to support the implementation of the EU steel action plan, says the Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry in a press release on 24 June. Spain and Italy have relaunched a national high-level group similar to the European level one - involving companies, unions and the government. Slovakia has adopted a national action plan on the basis of the European plan, and Poland and other countries have introduced a system for earmarking the emission trading scheme revenues. The UK has provided support to retain strong research and development facilities. The report is available on the DG Enterprise and Industry website at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/metals-minerals/steel/high-level-roundtable/index_en.htm . (EH)