Basta! Paper Industry Wants EU Economy To Be More Competitive

Nov 26, 2013

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is introducing a new campaign, calling for the EU to put the manufacturing industry at the heart of the European economy.

Due to launch in 2014 in time for the EU elections, ‘Basta! Get back on track!’ calls for the EU to reduce red tape, help win the global competitiveness race, rethink existing policies and put the focus back on industry. Demonstrating where European policy has gone wrong, the Basta! campaign will also highlight where EU policy has been well-implemented to support industry on a national level.

At European Paper Week, CEOs from Sappi Fine Paper Europe, UPM, Smurfit Kappa, Holmen, SCA, Portucel Soporcel, Stora Enso and Mondi, will come together to discuss the impact legislation can have on European competitiveness. The European manufacturing industry represents innovation, investment and jobs and it can help overcome the economic crisis – but not when legislation is contradicting, overlapping or disproportionate.

Teresa Presas, Director General of CEPI, said, “The paper industry wants to stay within a strong Europe setting a worldwide example. However, the current legislative situation is leading to imports of unemployment and exports of pollution. We urge policymakers to get back on track and focus on competitiveness. We say Basta! to the impact excessive legislative burdens are having on the manufacturing industry.”

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