Australian vegetable and potato growers have welcomed the announcement of proposed Federal Government reforms which will make it tougher for importers to “dump” cheap foreign products on Australian shores.

“The Australian vegetable industry welcomes these proposed anti-dumping measures, which we believe will assist in creating a more level playing field for Australian producers and manufacturers,” said AUSVEG Deputy CEO Andrew White.

Requirements for companies to comply with Australian anti-dumping investigations to avoid being slapped with heavier duties, and reduced timeframes to respond to dumping claims are among the changes stemming from a review of Australia’s anti-dumping laws.

“The issue of foreign companies dumping products in Australia and selling them at below the cost of production has placed local growers and producers under considerable strain in the past so we’re pleased to see the government is taking action,” said Mr White.

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.  

“We are hopeful that these changes will result in the closure of loopholes, and allow Australian growers to compete on a more level playing field against foreign competitors,” said Mr White.

“We believe these measures will go some way to improving the lot of Australia’s growers, while striking a balance with our international trade obligations” said Mr White.   

Along with a reduction of the timeframe to respond to dumping allegations from 40 to 37 days – the minimum allowable under international law – the reforms would result in the introduction of scaled application fee to have an anti-dumping ruling reviewed. The amount charged would depend on the size of the company, meaning smaller operators would not be disadvantaged.

The measures could also improve Australia’s capacity to investigate dumping allegations overseas through the establishment of an Anti-Dumping Information Service.

“We are heartened also to see reforms for the introduction of an anti-dumping hotline, additional anti-dumping reviewers, and a requirement for mediation to occur earlier in the anti-dumping review process to avoid unfair delays in the process,” said Mr White.

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