Action Plan for a Competitive and Sustainable Steel Industry in Europe
ECOS-V/047
Action Plan for a Competitive and Sustainable Steel Industry in Europe
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- considers the steel industry to play an instrumental role in the overall economy of the EU and to be a strategic sector of the highest order, with a direct impact on the economic, social and environmental development of all EU Member States;
- draws attention to the harsh economic climate that has exposed the European Union to the international problems of overcapacity and weak demand, observes that, following a marked slump in industrial activity in recent years, many production sites have significantly cut output; and notes with regret the loss of some 40 000 jobs;
- recognises the need for a European strategy for the steel industry, and advocates a bold industrial policy which focuses on improving the competitiveness of the EU steel industry and, where possible, on protecting or expanding existing steel plants and jobs;
- considers it vital to ensure the direct involvement of local and regional authorities in this process, respecting local circumstances and specialisations and respecting the fact that they are best placed to assess the economic and social challenges and the necessity and viability of further investments to create or preserve jobs as well as to identify possible resources of such investments; they are also more familiar with issues regarding environmental impact assessment;
- welcomes the establishment of a high-level roundtable at European level, but regrets that only one meeting is scheduled annually; suggests that this roundtable include a representative of the Committee of the Regions, together with representatives of the local and regional authorities;
- welcomes the Action Plan's focus on promoting innovation for cleaner and more resource- and energy-efficient technologies, in order to reduce costs and comply with the EU's 2030 climate policy framework, and points out that steel is a highly recyclable product;
- calls for the creation of additional retraining schemes for workers affected by site closures or restructuring, and reiterates its call for investment in skills and vocational training;
- supports the Commission's effort to encourage a level playing field, but voices its concern regarding the length of time the Commission needs to instigate anti-dumping measures and calls on the Commission to take steps that will enable it to work more swiftly;
- considers that the Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable steel industry in Europe should not be seen as an end in itself, but that the measures it proposes must necessarily be accompanied by efforts on the part of industry to stimulate investment and create jobs at European plants.
- considers the steel industry to play an instrumental role in the overall economy of the EU and to be a strategic sector of the highest order, with a direct impact on the economic, social and environmental development of all EU Member States;
- draws attention to the harsh economic climate that has exposed the European Union to the international problems of overcapacity and weak demand, observes that, following a marked slump in industrial activity in recent years, many production sites have significantly cut output; and notes with regret the loss of some 40 000 jobs;
- recognises the need for a European strategy for the steel industry, and advocates a bold industrial policy which focuses on improving the competitiveness of the EU steel industry and, where possible, on protecting or expanding existing steel plants and jobs;
- considers it vital to ensure the direct involvement of local and regional authorities in this process, respecting local circumstances and specialisations and respecting the fact that they are best placed to assess the economic and social challenges and the necessity and viability of further investments to create or preserve jobs as well as to identify possible resources of such investments; they are also more familiar with issues regarding environmental impact assessment;
- welcomes the establishment of a high-level roundtable at European level, but regrets that only one meeting is scheduled annually; suggests that this roundtable include a representative of the Committee of the Regions, together with representatives of the local and regional authorities;
- welcomes the Action Plan's focus on promoting innovation for cleaner and more resource- and energy-efficient technologies, in order to reduce costs and comply with the EU's 2030 climate policy framework, and points out that steel is a highly recyclable product;
- calls for the creation of additional retraining schemes for workers affected by site closures or restructuring, and reiterates its call for investment in skills and vocational training;
- supports the Commission's effort to encourage a level playing field, but voices its concern regarding the length of time the Commission needs to instigate anti-dumping measures and calls on the Commission to take steps that will enable it to work more swiftly;
- considers that the Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable steel industry in Europe should not be seen as an end in itself, but that the measures it proposes must necessarily be accompanied by efforts on the part of industry to stimulate investment and create jobs at European plants.
