Brussels, 20/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will this week recommend that Member States impose temporary anti-dumping duties on imports from China and Vietnam of shoes with a leather upper. On Monday, Commissioner Mandelson's spokesman said that, after a nine-month enquiry, Directorate General for Trade at the European Commission had concluded that there was definite proof of state subsidy in the leather shoe sector in both countries. This subsidy takes the form of tax concessions, financing arrangements or leasing of land at below market prices, he said. The Commission's conclusion is unequivocal, “There is proof of dumping”. Mr Mandelson's services stress that the exact rate of duty has not yet been set, but a number of sources suggest that it will be of the order of 20% on the import price. If the Commission proposal is supported by a majority of Member States, duties could come into effect on 7 April, initially at a relatively low level, possibly around 4%, rising gradually to 20% after six months. This gradual increase will allow importers a transition phase. After six months, and based on a re-examination of the market situation, Member States will decide whether or not to extend the duties. Commission experts stressed on Monday that anti-dumping measures will have a very limited impact on consumers. If the EU were to impose a 20% duty on the average import price which is currently 8.5 euro, this would mean an increase of only 1.70 euro, assuming that distributors do not absorb the increase in some other way. The import of shoes with leather uppers from China and Vietnam accounts for some 8% of the total number of shoes sold in Europe.