European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association
EUROPEAN INDUSTRY NEEDS COMPETITIVE NATURAL GAS FOR SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
Brussels, 3 March 2008
This is the key message from EFMA’s conference Competitive Natural Gas for Sustainable European Industries, held in Brussels on Thursday 29 February. The conference addressed major gas consumer interests and aimed to stimulate public discussion about the situation of gas supplies, gas prices and gas reforms in Europe today. Facilitated by Patrick Heren, publisher of European Gas Markets, this one-day event gathered a broad variety of speakers: Representatives from gas buying and selling companies, as well as the Energy Charter Secretariat. Approximately 85 delegates attended, including MEPs, Commission officials and other industrial sectors. “Our ambition is to finally become a customer rather than the consumer of gas that we are now” said Renso Zwiers, EFMA President. “We are looking for a level playing field in Europe and an abundant supply of natural gas without borders. Natural gas should be competitively priced and the European gas market should be transparent”, he added. “The EU natural gas market is not competitive and European businesses and citizens suffer a lot from this lack of competitiveness.There are ways and means to improve the situation and the proposals of the European Commission are steps in the right direction” said Esa Härmälä, EFMA Director General. Esa Härmälä concluded: “The European fertilizer industry provides Europe with a life essential product. Our voice, like the voice of other industrial consumers, should be heard and taken better into account”. For further information, please contact: Mr Sean Mackle Director, Trade & Economic Policy Email: sma@efma.be Tel: +32 (0)2 663 31 55 Mobile: +32 (0) 475 67 93 00
_______________________________________________________________________________________ Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, B - 1160 Brussels Tel. +32 2 675 35 50 – Fax 32 2 675 39 61 e-mail : main@efma.be
Bleicherweg 33, CH-8002 Zürich Tel. +41 1 209 15 17Fax +41 1 209 15 06 e-mail : secretar@efma.ch
Mr Esa Härmälä Director General Email: eha@efma.be Tel: +32 (0)2 663 31 41 Mobile: +32 (0) 479 90 06 63
Notes to Editor: •
All the presentations and speeches from the conference can be found on the EFMA website: http://cms.efma.org/EPUB/easnet.dll/ExecReq/Page?eas:template_im=000BC2&eas:d at_im=000C22
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The European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (EFMA) represents the major producers of nitrogen-based fertilizers in Europe. Its mission is to identify, support and manage the common interests of its members, to be the industry’s voice and sounding board and to provide members and the interested public with statistical information and studies.
_______________________________________________________________________________________ Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, B - 1160 Brussels Tel. +32 2 675 35 50 – Fax 32 2 675 39 61 e-mail : main@efma.be
Bleicherweg 33, CH-8002 Zürich Tel. +41 1 209 15 17Fax +41 1 209 15 06 e-mail : secretar@efma.ch