EBFC warns of risks of current EC footwear dumping investigation
The European Branded Footwear Coalition (EBFC), representing many highly regarded European and global footwear brands, today warned of the detrimental impact of the current European anti-dumping investigation being conducted targeting leather footwear and the harm that the imposition of any anti-dumping measures would have on the European Union.
The EBFC members have raised serious concerns with the commission regarding the scope of the investigation and how it is being conducted, including:
- The case is overly broad and targets all leather footwear imported from
- The Commission has not appropriately narrowed the scope of the investigation to target specific footwear, if any, being improperly dumped in the EU market at artificially low prices.
- The economic basis of the investigation is flawed and fails to consider even basic open market factors such as the impact of currency exchange rates.
- EU footwear producers cannot supply all of the European demand for high quality leather footwear.
If anti-dumping measures are imposed, the EBFC says the following effects should be expected:
- Prices of footwear for European consumers will rise substantially;
- European consumer choice in high quality, fashionable footwear at competitive prices will be limited;
- Higher prices and limited selection will cause sales of footwear to fall, injuring already strained EU retailers and related industries with consequent job losses in those sectors; and
- Trade disruption to the EU Member States could occur similar to the problems recently experienced with apparel following the actions of the Commission.
The EBFC is comprised of prominent European and global footwear companies including
