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AIA

EU keeps tariffs on green lightbulbs

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3rd Sep 2007
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Forced to decide between protectionism and environmentalism, EU commissioners plumped for the later last week when they voted to retain import taxes on Chinese energy–saving light bulbs for another year.

Retailers have been urging commissioners to reject the tariffs on low-light bulbs from China, which added 66% to their dockside price. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) described the existing measures as "blatant protectionism", claiming it shields inefficient European manufacturers at the expense of customers and the environment.

The duties were introduced in 2002 in response to claims by major EU bulb makers that China was selling at below cost price. It is reported that out of the four European producers, only Germany's Osram AG had pushed for retention, allegedly in an effort to gain an advantage over Dutch competitors Royal Philips Electronics NV, which makes bulbs in China.

In light of Germany’s requests for a two-year extension, the commissioners appeared to have steered a middle course.

"In the overall Community interest, there are grounds to leave the possibility to continue in these anti-dumping measures for up to another year, mainly to allow in a changing reality and soft transition," said commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.

But BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said there is an "obvious link" between price and sales volume, and making green technologies more expensive would not entice consumers.

"The commission needs to put the environment before the narrow self interests of a minority of member countries and scrap import duties on Chinese bulbs," he added.

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