South West Lib Dem MEP Sir Graham Watson has welcomed the decision by the European Union to impose anti-dumping laws on Chinese tile imports, following from his meeting with Newton Abbot-based manufacturer British Ceramic Tiles.
The move comes after major concerns were raised from the tile manufacturing industry that China was ‘dumping’ tile exports into the European market that were far below cost price, threatening businesses with unfair competition.
Following the meeting with British Ceramic Tile chief executive Matthew Gazzard earlier this year, Graham took their concerns directly to Brussels to press for such regulation to be finalised.
Graham said: “I welcome the decision to impose these anti dumping laws onto tile imports. Across Europe and here in the South West there are highly regarded, highly skilled tile manufacturers and that quality should not be hindered for the sake of competing with cut price Chinese imports.
“Devon’s manufacturing industry has been hit hard by the recession, particularly with the hundreds of jobs lost at Polestar Food in Okehampton which led to the distressing scenes of food parcels being sent to residents struggling to make ends meet. That’s why any move which can lead to a safeguarding of jobs is so paramount.”
Sir Graham will be following up this decision with a visit to the plant in Newton Abbot next month.
(from a press release)
(image: screen shot from British Ceramic Tile manufacturing film)
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