STEEL bosses have called on EU leaders to “do what it takes” to save the sector.

Nearly 60 industry chiefs have written an open letter urging officials to make much-needed changes to imports and emissions costs.

The appeals come from figures including Hans Fischer, chief executive of Tata Steel Europe, and Gareth Stace, director of trade body UK Steel, and have been made ahead of the European Council summit, due to take place later this week.

The letter follows months of pressure for steel sector operators, which have faced lower prices, a rising threat of cheaper Chinese imports and the burden of expensive running costs.

It said: “Do what it takes to preserve our sector and the jobs of the 320,000 men and women who work with us.

“The effectiveness of the anti-dumping instrument is uncertain, producing measures which are significantly below the calculated size, often less than a tenth of US measures.

“The European steel industry is (also) committed to CO2 reductions and working hard to develop low-carbon technologies.

“However, we need a reformed system that is achievable.

“The proposed system beyond 2020 creates costs for steelmakers that are not borne by global competitors.

“This risks jobs and investment in European steel.”

Earlier this year, Tata sold its loss-making Long Products division to investor Greybull Capital for £1 as it sought to secure itself against fluctuating market conditions.

The business, which employs hundreds of North-East workers, has since been renamed British Steel and secured a number of contracts.

Its Teesside Beam Mill, near Redcar, is due to process steel for Scunthorpe United’s new football ground and support the building of skyscrapers in London.

Tata still operates the Hartlepool pipe mills in the region.

However, earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed Liberty House was close to an agreement to take over parts of that business.

The mills process steel for the offshore energy sector.

Bosses previously said any deal would exclude the site’s 20-inch tube mill.