A CAMPAIGN is being waged against a new textiles tax threatening jobs in Burnley and Pendle.
Euro-MP Mark Hendrick says EU proposals for a 25 per cent levy would mean price rises for products made at factories in the area.
He has had talks with European Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan to try to prevent import duties being imposed on unprocessed cotton from Egypt, China, India and Pakistan.
Mr Hendrick said: "Import duties would be bad news for East Lancashire workers and consumers. Textile firms import the unfinished cottons and turn them into fabrics that can be used for products like curtains and bed linen.
"Industry leaders fear there is a real danger that duties would persuade large retailers to start buying the finished fabrics from the countries of origin instead of local firms.
"I am writing to the European Commission to urge them not to impose the duties and will contact MPs to ask them to do the same."
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