European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Tuesday urged EU member states to unblock millions of Chinese textiles piling up in European ports.

"The consequences of not doing so will be severe economic pain for many smaller retailers and medium-sized businesses," Mandelson told the European Parliament's trade committee.

"I am not confident the Shanghai Textile Agreement will be sustainable unless we release the goods currently held at the border," said the Commissioner, who negotiated a temporary quota system with the Chinese government in June to last until 2008 after a previous one expired on Jan. 1.

However, the new quota level was quickly burst through while importers continued to order garments before the new EU rules were in place, so shops are finding supplies for their winter collections held up in European ports.

"It could mean some shortages during the autumn, but even more likely, higher consumer prices for many of our citizens who cannot afford to pay more for clothes," said Mandelson.

Trying to ease the worries of European importers and retailers,Mandelson on Monday made a formal proposal on allowing the importsof those Chinese textiles waiting at European frontier.

"I appeal to Member States to take the long-term view. The price of rejecting my proposals is harm to the consumer. The gain is keeping the Agreement alive and the overall restrictions in place over the next three years," he added.

It is reported that more than 80 million items of Chinese garments, including T-shirts, sweaters, trousers and brassieres, have been blocked from entering the 25-nation bloc.

Source: Xinhua