The EU's anti-dumping duties on Chinese leather shoes, which are due to expire in October 7th this year, may face an adversity delayed.

According to information from the Ministry of commerce website, the European footwear industry has put forward a proposal to extend the anti-dumping measure to the European footwear industry at various meetings recently held in Europe.

Once this proposal is passed, the export of Chinese leather shoes with negative growth will suffer a greater blow.

The anti-dumping or extension period is due to the fact that the low price leather shoes exported by China have infringed on local enterprises. Since October 7, 2006, the EU has imposed a 16.5% anti-dumping duty on leather shoes exported from the mainland of China, and this measure has further extended to Macao in April 29th this year.

According to foreign reports, in May 31st, the European footwear Federation held a proposal to extend the deadline in Italy.

The Italy Footwear Association (ANCI) also discussed the issue at its annual meeting in Milan in June 9th.

ANCI chairman Al Theo Lee said that although the total volume of shoes imported by the EU in 2007 still maintained a two digit growth rate, it had dropped by 16.5% compared with 2006. This shows that the EU anti-dumping measures are effective.

The European footwear Federation has decided to extend to the European Union the extension of anti-dumping measures to China for 5 years.

At present, ANCI is collecting information and opinions among member enterprises to prepare for reexamination.

At the same time, the European footwear Federation said in June 3rd that it would start developing new anti-dumping measures to reduce the export of Chinese leather shoes.

At present, experts from Italy, Spain and Portugal have fully supported the European Commission's approval of the application.

Experts believe that 40% of EU shoe manufacturers will also support it.

The attitude of the enterprises is not clear. The news that the anti-dumping may be postponed to the Chinese footwear industry has attracted the attention of the relevant departments.

"At our annual meeting in Hainan today, anti-dumping is the main topic. We have convened some enterprises, and we have also told you the opinions of lawyers."

Wei Yafei, director of shoe making office of China Leather Association, said yesterday to "First Financial Daily".

Wei Ya Fei said that the China Leather Association hopes to organize some enterprises to reconsider the European Union from 6 to August this year, so as to help enterprises fight for their interests.

"In fact, after nearly two years, many enterprises have improved, so in the review, more enterprises should be able to get a low tax rate."

However, it is quite difficult for the China Leather Association to find it difficult for most of the enterprises to take a clear attitude.

Wei Yafei said that at present, many enterprises have adopted the attitude of following the mainstream, and because of the need to pay for the retrial, the procedure is similar to that of responding to anti-dumping. In 2006, more than 100 enterprises filed anti-dumping suits, and only one got low export tax rate. Therefore, the leather association is also worried that this situation will affect the enthusiasm of enterprises.

Yesterday, the first financial daily asked a number of leather shoes export enterprises, and no clear answer was given to how to deal with the possible extension of anti-dumping duties.

"Reexamination is an opportunity for enterprises, and enterprises should not give up.

Otherwise, the export of leather shoes will be more affected. "

Wei Ya Fei said.