Brussels, 05/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Argument grows after the accusations made by ten European industry representatives against Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, accusing him of having acted discreetly, and through technical and bureaucratic sleight of hand, to prevent use being made of trade protection instruments to the detriment of European producers whose activities are located in the European Union (see EUROPE 9438). The association which represents European importers, distributors and retailers, the Foreign Trade Association (FTA), responded swiftly on Monday to the attacks by the signatories of a letter sent last week to Commission President José Manuel Barroso and which complains of “an anti-industry policy bias” in Mr Mandelson's trade policy. “Time after time during the current review of the European anti-dumping legislation I have heard the industry claim that retailers and importers are getting a better deal. Some have even publicly announced that anti-dumping measures do not affect retailers. This is pure nonsense,” said FTA Secretary General Jan Eggert in a press release. On the contrary, it is “quite clear that EU retailers and importers are affected by the imposition of anti-dumping measures. Although retailers will only increase the price the consumer pays as a last resort cuts often have to be made elsewhere, such as working hours, stores and even jobs,” he went on, before saying, “Last year's (Chinese) shoe case showed that the current legislation (on trade defence instruments, see EUROPE 9427) was in need of review and Mr Mandelson recognised this, hence the public consultation that took place between December and April - to which the industry has responded in force”. With the Commission currently going through the 541 responses received, “Now is not the time to criticise this exercise or to fire baseless accusations against the trade commissioner. Both sides in this debate, industry and retailers, have had ample opportunity to air their views and we must now trust to the commissioner and his services to respond appropriately and fairly,” Mr Eggert said. (eh)