A Commission Staff Working document on the competitiveness of the EU non-energy extractive industry of 4 June 2007 analysed the availability of non-energy raw materials within the EU. It also examined the different drivers of a competitive extractive industry in Europe.

As a next step, the Commission is preparing a Communication which is expected to be finalised in the second half of 2008, setting out a European strategy on non-energy raw materials.[/P][P]In preparation of the Communication, the Commission services invited stakeholders to give their opinion, until 24 March 2008 on the issues and policy options raised in a background paper.

Below you fill find the summary of the replies to the online questionnaire.

In addition, we have also published a number of individual position papers (web archive), as authorised by the respondents.