BRITAIN'S largest metals union, the AEEU, yesterday argued for international co-operation and partnership to rescue the steel industry.

Bob Shannon, AEEU National Officer for Metals addressed a meeting of the International Steel Trade Association in London where he outlined the AEEU's fight to save the steel industry in Britain and the lessons that can be learned from it.

Mr Shannon said that far from being in decline, the steel industry is undergoing a boom and that the challenge facing the industry is to ensure that everyone benefits from this.

"The weak Euro has undoubtedly caused problems for British steel producers by making it harder to export to Europe.

"When the situation with the exchange rate reverses, as it almost certainly will, the UK will benefit and mainland European producers will suffer just as we are," he added.

"With international co-operation we can even-out the peaks and troughs and help to save domestic jobs."

Mr Shannon also said that Governments have a big role to play in encouraging industrial partnership.