Potato Commission tries again to end Canadian anti-dumping duty
Washington Ag Today August 6, 2010 The anti-dumping duties imposed against some U.S. potatoes going into British Columbia are up for review again. And once again the Washington State Potato Commission is seeking to get the 25 year-old tariffs eliminated. Matt Harris, Potato Commission Director of Trade, recently spent what he calls a grueling 2 ½ days in a hearing before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. Harris: “We gave a very solid argument regarding why this order should be removed, in that the growers in British Columbia have a very robust industry and a very controlled industry. They can legally talk and set prices on fresh potatoes, that they have controls to meter in fresh potatoes into the marketplace so they never come into an oversupply situation which would harm price. Also, that just overall they have been using this system as a way really rake in, or bring in, gross profitability in a free market potato situation.” Harris says the tribunal will announce its decision about the fate of the anti-dumping order in September. In the last review five years ago the commission succeeded in getting duties removed certain types of potatoes and on 50-pound cartons. That’s Washington Ag Today. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I’m Bob Hoff on Northwest Aginfo Net.
