Anti Dumping Update

Germany, Austria and Malta have now opted to abstain from the vote on the Commission's proposal to extend the
ADD period for a further fifteen months. These additional abstentions effectively count as votes in favour of the proposal, which now looks certain to be voted through at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 22nd December, with the additional fifteen month period beginning sometime between the 3rd and 8th January 2010.

Whilst those member states favouring withdrawal of the anti dumping duty will be disappointed by this outcome, it is thought that the Commission has at least taken into account the level of opposition to the additional period of ADD, and the prospect of any further extension of the measures beyond April 2011 seems unlikely.