AUSVEG has welcomed the announcement that Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commission will investigate the alleged dumping of canned tomatoes into Australia by two Italian exporters.

 

Following an application lodged by SPC Ardmona Operations Limited, an investigation has been initiated with respect to tomatoes exported to Australia from Italy by Feger di Gerardo Ferraioli A.p.A. and La Doria S.p.A.

 

“This investigation is welcome news for Australia’s vegetable and potato industries which have struggled to compete against cheap processed foreign produce,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White.

 

“As the nation’s agricultural sector continues to shift towards a focus on free markets and international trade, it has become particularly important that Australian vegetable and potato growers and local processors are able to compete on an equal footing with their international counterparts,” said Mr White.

 

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.

 

The new investigation comes after dumping duties were imposed on 103 Italian tomato exporters last year following Anti-Dumping Commission investigations.

 

“In previous investigations into canned tomatoes, 103 of 105 canned tomato exporters from Italy were found to be illegally dumping their goods on our shores and duties were imposed. It is positive news that the remaining two exporters are now being investigated,” said Mr White.

 

“We are hopeful that this new investigation will further discourage foreign businesses that are exporting to Australia from dumping cheap produce here and hurting local growers and processors.”

 

“The effects of illegal dumping can reach far beyond the tomato industry and if left unchecked they could set an unwanted precedent for international companies exporting to Australia that could have flow-on consequences for the Australian vegetable and potato industries.”

 

In its submission to the Anti-Dumping Commission, SPC estimated that the processed tomato industry in Italy received an estimated AUD$1.2 billion in subsidies from 2010 to 2014 under Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

 

AUSVEG has previously highlighted the significant effect that Europe’s CAP could have on Australia growers, with vegetable imports from Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and France having increased substantially since 2007-08.

 

The new Anti-Dumping Commission investigations also follow the announcement of new measures late last year aimed at making it harder for foreign companies to dump cheap produce on our shores.

 

“AUSVEG welcomes the Australian Government taking a hard line on the dumping of produce on our shores and is supportive of any measures by the Anti-Dumping Commission which ensure Australian vegetable and potato growers get a fair go.”

 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Andrew White, AUSVEG Deputy CEO
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0409 989 575, Email: andrew.white@ausveg.com.au