The European Footwear Association of Importers and Retailchains (FAIR) has strongly criticised the EU Commission's anti-dumping investigation against footwear as being faulty and biased”.

The proposal to introduce anti-dumping duties against imports of footwear from China and Vietnam has been criticised from many sides and now FAIR has proclaimed that not only would duties have catastrophic results for consumers and the footwear industry, but the investigation itself contains major factual gaps and errors. The association has appealed to EU Member States to reject the Commission proposal and to demand a more thorough and objective investigation.

According to FAIR president Paul Verrips, "We have the working document of the Commission before us, and the mistakes made in the evaluation of the results are outrageous. The shoe business is very complex. Many basic facts are ignored or taken out of context, resulting in misleading conclusions. To base a decision upon such an investigation is irresponsible, not only to consumers but also to the employees in the footwear industry, who are the ones who will suffer from import duties."

FAIR represents the interests of over 100 EU companies active in the design, import and retail of footwear with over 90,000 employees. Members include Columbia (France, USA), Clarks (United Kingdom), Deichmann (Germany), Wortmann (Germany), Leder & Schuh (Austria), Skechers (USA), Schoenenreus (Netherlands) and Vivarte (France).