Brussels, 12/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The steel lobby, Eurofer, initiated anti-dumping proceedings in November, on behalf of EU steel producers against the import of hot-rolled spools from Egypt, Iran, Libya, Slovakia and Hungary. Whereas total imports of hot-rolled spools into the EU increased by 11% over the first seven months of the year, Eurofer points out that, in the same period, imports from the countries targeted by the proceedings increased by 88%, their market share having almost doubled to reach close to 12% of the total EU market. Stressing that the dumping margin reached 45%, the association deplores the fact that unfair practices were exacerbating the already difficult situation on the market, and leading to reductions in production, serious financial consequences and a threat to jobs.