The Live Wire



Press Release

BRC GIVES CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO CHINESE TEXTILES 'AGREEMENT'

05 September 2005

Responding to the agreement on the Chinese textiles issue, confirmed today, Kevin Hawkins, BRC Director General, said:

"We are obviously pleased that the products tied up in the supply chain are finally going to be released but the big worry now is the long-term consequences as these products are being released at the expense of next year's quota.

"We are very concerned that this could lead to shortages of Chinese clothing products and higher prices for the consumer. While most larger retailers have a broad spectrum of suppliers and are not unduly exposed to China, other retailers will be forced to look at sourcing from other low cost countries.

"We are also concerned that this may indicate a more protectionist trend in EU trade policy, directed at China. As with any form of protectionism, the real losers will be low income consumers throughout the EU who buy the cheaper Chinese products."



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

British Retail Consortium

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd