91999E2001

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2001/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Subject: Dumping of polish coal

It is estimated that Polish coal producers are exporting one million tonnes of subsidised coal to the United Kingdom every year, which has a knock-on effect on Britain's domestic coal market. Indeed, the UK Minister for Trade and Industry has lodged a complaint with the Polish authorities to halt the dumping of coal on the UK market.

What action, if any, has the Commission taken to prevent the dumping of subsidised Polish coal? Will the Commission be taking any anti-dumping measures against Polish coal producers in the future?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1999)

So far, the Commission has not undertaken any action against the imports of coal originating in Poland.

The initiation of an anti-dumping or anti-subsidy investigation is only possible after receipt of clear and documented evidence of injurious dumping or subsidisation, which normally takes the form of a duly substantiated complaint from the Community industry. Measures can only be imposed after an investigation has confirmed the existence of injurious dumping or subsidisation, and when the Community interest calls for intervention.

To this date, the Commission has received no complaint regarding the importation of this product from Poland.

Should any complaint or relevant evidence of injurious dumping or subsidisation be presented, the Commission will analyse it with the utmost consideration.