Euratex accuses politicians of ‘dereliction of duty’ over gas costs
Euratex, the Brussels-based body that promotes the design, development, manufacture and marketing of textile and clothing products in the European Union, has renewed its call for support for manufacturers over high energy prices.
It issued an initial appeal for help at the end of August, saying producers of manmade fibres, synthetic and cellulosic, were particularly at risk from energy price-hikes because of the sector’s reliance on natural gas. It went on to point to companies involved in textile dyeing and finishing as being under intense pressure.
Now it has said EU energy ministers “missed the point” when they met at the end of September to discuss the energy crisis. Member-state ministers approved European Union calls to reduce electricity prices and electricity demand.
Euratex said the ministers had meant well but that bringing gas prices down would be “the one measure that would have the biggest impact on European industry”.
The organisation’s director general, Dirk Vantyghem, went further. He said hesitation over adopting a price cap on natural gas and on setting up subsidies to help companies overcome high gas prices amounted to “a dereliction of duty”.
