The Polish leather footwear industry feels threatened by the Chinese invasion of cheap products, and two leading Polish companies are to undergo an inspection by the European Commission (EC) to establish whether the threat is real.

Shoe makers Wojas and Arcobaleno, selected from among 26 domestic producers who lodged a petition with the EC in May on behalf of EU shoe producers, will soon be visited by inspectors. An EC judgement on the issue is expected in September.

Estimated figures given by the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG) have recorded a large decline in leather footwear sales from PLN 2.97 billion (€719m) to PLN 1.76 billion (€426m) during the 2001-2004 period. This is thought to be due, at least in part, to imports from China.