McCreevy concerned about high level of counterfeit goods from the East

THE EUROPEAN Commission's internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy has expressed concern about the high level of counterfeit goods coming from eastern countries.

"The idea that the West makes it, then the East fakes it, is a common refrain from many EU industries," he said. There was damage being inflicted on the European economy, and, more importantly, there was the threat to the health and safety of families.

He said some 80 per cent of fake goods intercepted into the EU were made in China. India, he added, had built up an industry producing the vast majority of fake pharmaceutical products. In 2006, seizure of such products rose by almost 400 per cent.

He said he would highlight the issue at a high-level seminar on counterfeiting and piracy in Brussels later this month. He added that the event would focus on "tackling this modern day highway robbery, as well as raising awareness among consumers that, in the end, fakes cost more".

Addressing the annual Burren law school in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, on the theme East and West - a clash of Cultures, Mr McCreevy said intellectual property rights were essential to competitiveness.

"Europe has repeatedly said that it needs to see much better protection of intellectual property rights in emerging economies, particularly in China and Russia.

"This is clearly in the interests of these countries, which claim they want to invest in innovation and high-quality production."

He added that those violating today could become tomorrow's victims.

China was beginning to see this, and it no longer wanted to be branded as the world's number one counterfeiting industry.

He said while better regulation and the consultation of stakeholders were at the core of EU policies, firms doing business in China, India and Russia complained about the lack of transparency in the regulatory sphere.

"I believe that unpredictable treatment and regulatory issues drive away productive investment from these countries. Then both sides are the losers."

The Lisbon Treaty referendum will be a real contest, Mr McCreevy said last night. Speaking to The Irish Times in Clare, he said: "There is no doubt that those who want a Yes or a No have to fight for it."

Referring to a recent poll last weekend that showed a decrease in support for the treaty he said: "At least, it is not a surprise to anybody that there is a real battle in prospect."