The intricate displays of Christmas trees and lights that adorn UK city centres owe much to the essential use of boom lifts, also known as cherry pickers. These specialised pieces of equipment are vital to creating the festive decorations enjoyed by millions.
The UK boom lift sector, which supports numerous jobs and significantly contributes to the national economy, is currently contending with challenges arising from imported products that may be priced unfairly low or receive undue subsidies.
Trade remedies authority investigation
In response to these concerns, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imported boom lifts on 19 December.
Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, highlighted the importance of fair competition, stating, "Whether it’s raising a Christmas tree or raising the bar for fair competition, British businesses deserve a level playing field." He further emphasised the UK's commitment to securing fair trade for domestic firms, encouraging full participation in the investigation.
Ensuring fair competition
Key role boom lifts play in lively displays, and stated their goal to assess whether unfair match from imports
Co-Chief Executives of the TRA, Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez, remarked on the necessity of the investigation in line with their mission to protect UK economic interests.
They noted the key role boom lifts play in festive displays and stated their intent to assess whether unfair competition from imports is impacting UK producers, and determine appropriate measures if necessary.
Impact of unfair trading practices
Such investigations are crucial to determining if imported goods, such as boom lifts, are entering the UK market at below-market prices or are benefiting from unfair government subsidies.
This scrutiny is part of the broader government effort to safeguard British businesses and the manufacturing sector from unjust trading practices. It aligns with the UK's Trade Strategy, which seeks to promote fair competition and bolster support for the domestic industry.
As families gather to admire towering Christmas trees and sparkling lights across UK city centres, few realise the specialist equipment behind these festive displays. Boom lifts — often called cherry pickers — are essential for installing decorations that bring seasonal cheer to millions.
The UK boom lift industry supports hundreds of jobs and contributes millions to the economy, supplying the equipment that makes these celebrations possible. But British manufacturers face growing pressure from imports that could be being sold at artificially low prices or benefit from unfair subsidies.
Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation
To protect UK businesses, the Trade Remedies Authority has launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imported boom lifts on 19 December.
Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Whether it’s raising a Christmas tree or raising the bar for fair competition, British businesses deserve a level playing field."
“This Government has signed trade deals worth billions of pounds. But our Trade Strategy is not just about seeking new opportunities overseas, it’s also about defending British firms and ensuring a strong and fair trading environment back home. That’s why it’s crucial independent investigations like this protect UK industry and we encourage everyone to engage fully in this process.”
UK economic interests
The TRA’s Co-Chief Executives Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez said: “In line with the TRA mission to defend UK economic interests and our ambition to be more agile, assertive, and accessible, we have acted swiftly to launch this investigation in response to an application from UK producers."
“With boom lifts playing a key role in festive displays across the country, we will be considering whether UK producers are facing unfair competition from imports and, if so, which measures might be required.”
Unfair trading practices
Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations assess whether imported goods are being sold below fair market value or benefiting from unfair government support, which can harm UK businesses.
While the case is at an early stage and will take time to conclude, it reflects the government’s wider commitment to backing British business and protecting domestic manufacturing from unfair trading practices. This aligns with the UK’s Trade Strategy to ensure fair competition and support the domestic industry.
