A group of trade experts at the European Union's executive body have been debating whether to drop the anti-dumping duties for several months as the trade defense measure against lightbulbs made in China was introduced for five years in 2001.

Peter Power, a spokesman for EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, said a majority of specialists support the end to the anti-dumping duties as the five-year period has expired.

"The outcome of the discussions puts the commission in a position to proceed with a formal proposal to end the duties," he said.

Some European bulb makers have been pressing had for a renewal of the duties for another five years, but the measure was criticized by environmentalists as unjustified in EU's fight against global warming.

EU member states will give a final say to the issue, based on the commission's proposal.

The 27-nation bloc has launched a review of its trade defense policy, notably anti-duping measures. As an increasing number of EU companies now invest in China, the EU wants to have a second thought on whether such measures would hurt its own interests.