The GRTU, as a member of Eurocommerce, have issued a press release written by Eurocommerce and adhered to by the national organisations in each member state representing traders and retailers, relating to textiles and clothing imports from China.

According to the press release “the EU must terminate its import quota for textiles and clothing from China at the end of 2007. The recent calls by some to extend the current restrictions miss the point and come in any case at a moment when most traders have already placed their orders.”

The release was signed by Xavier R. Durieu, Secretary General of EuroCommerce.

He said that a further extension by one year was not an option. “The EU textiles and clothing manufacturers had 10 years, from 1995 to 2004, to adapt to the end of the quota system. In 2005 they were given two additional years.

“Yet another extension would not save one single job, but penalise those producers who have invested in research and innovation to anticipate the end of the quota system.”