The 10 per cent anti-dumping tariff, due to expire on October 7 this year, was introduced in 2006 after the EC ruled leather shoes from Vietnam and China were being sold at "unfair prices" in the European market.

The anti-dumping measures were roundly criticised by exporting nations in 2006. Since then, however, EU attempts to lesson the impact of its anti-dumping policies have fallen flat as politicians across Europe, faced with weakening economies, have grown more sensitive to complaints from manufacturers.