RESOLUTION B3-1445, 1455 and 1483/92

Resolution on the situation in the European steel industry

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the difficulties facing the European steel industry in recent months,

B. fearing that the competitive advantages gained through restructuring in the 1980s thanks to the joint efforts of the Member States and of the two sides of industry may be lost,

C. whereas four basic problems must now be faced: the fall in internal steel consumption, overcapacity in Europe and the world, the increase in imports from outside the Community at dumping prices and on dumping conditions and the protectionist strategy of the US Government with regard to steel, which has led to a sharp fall in market prices,

D. alarmed at the danger that more than 50 000 workers in the EC may lose their jobs because of the restructuring in the European steel industry,

1. Is convinced that the European steel industry must make a substantial effort to restructure itself;

2. Calls on the European Community, the Member States and the two sides of industry to formulate a clear, coordinated and collective action plan without delay;

3. Emphasizes that such action must concentrate on three main points: restructuring steel production on socially acceptable terms, adapting to new market conditions and maximizing the means of defence against unfair imports;

4. Reminds the Commission of the importance of ensuring that all restructuring measures assisted by subsidies from the Member States are in accordance with the Code on Subsidies, thereby ensuring that all subsidies are linked to reductions in production;

5. Requests that the resources made available for such action be based on greater mobilization not only of the own resources of firms, the Member States, the EEC budget and the ECSC budget but also of the ECSC reserves;

6. Calls on the Commission to make unreserved use of all possible measures under the ECSC and EEC Treaties so that:

- the impact on the regions of present and future restructuring are cushioned by social and economic measures undertaken in cooperation with both sides of industry;

- the problem of imports from Eastern Europe is not settled by legal instruments alone (safeguard clause, quotas), but also by taking account of these countries' need for aid to convert their industries;

- the European Community can quickly take the appropriate steps to relaunch negotiations with the USA on a multilateral agreement on the trade in steel;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.