UNIONE NAZIONALE INDUSTRIA CONCIARIA - Euroleather

Lastly, as is customary, Figure 40 illustrates the trendsfor the value of production and the incidence of environmentalcosts on turnover index-linked to 2002. The mirroredtrend of the two curves is always apparent. Theincidence of environmental costs increases as the valueof production decreases.It is important to note in this context that over theyears the Italian tanning industry has created mediumlargesize operating structures with the aim of reducingits inherent environmental aspects. For example, theconsortium water treatment facilities which participatedin this year’s survey employ 356 persons, overall, whileservicing approximately 739 tanneries. It is thereforeevident that maintaining large centralised structures entailsthe existence of a component of fixed maintenancecosts which therefore corresponds to a rigid structure ofthe environmental costs.The 3.13% incidence of environmental costs on turnoveris partly due to the fact that Italian tanneries are requiredto address the most demanding, complicated and“fragmented” legislation in the world. This correspondsto a loss of competitiveness on the international markets,above all, in the absence of policies which enhancereciprocity in relation to the emerging and competitorcountries which are not subject to any cost associatedwith minimising the impact and depollution.figure 40 - Trend for environmental costs / turnover - value of production 2002 - 200980%63.7%60%64.9%40%30.9%20% 8.9%0.0%22.9% 30.5% 17.4%0%-18.9%-14.0%-26.2%-20%-13.6%-12.5%-38.1%-21.4%-40%2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Incidence over turnover index Value of production indexSource: UNIC 2009All this, if not adequately addressed, can have negativeeffects on a sector that has experienced a major crisisand that despite everything continues to produce wealthand progress, demonstrating a virtuous conduct fromthe environmental point of view, which should be rewardedand encouraged.The efforts made should be acknowledged in orderto safeguard the survival of the category, also througha series of measures to encourage environmental investmentsand to acknowledge the costs supported byassigning a tax credit in relation to the environmentalexpenses sustained.48