fbpx
Print this page
Friday, 06 November 2020 10:23

State turns heat on frozen fries from EU

Written by 
State turns heat on frozen fries from EU

Potato farmers are relieved that the Government is investigating the dumping of surplus European frozen fries into New Zealand

.

Potatoes New Zealand (PNZ) has been informed that the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) trade remedies team is now investigating the issue after it was raised by the lobby group.

In a statement, PNZ says the MBIE decision was based on the positive evidence the industry provided in their application completed in September this year.

The application was in response to the threat posed to the NZ potato processing sector by dumped imports of surplus European frozen fries. This threat, combined with the effects of supply chain disruption caused by Covid-19, created an extraordinary situation that required investigation, PNZ says.

“At the time of the application, the surplus in Europe was 1.5 million tonnes; today it is estimated at 2.6M tonnes and growing by the minute, due to the impacts of further lockdowns in parts of Europe. 
“This situation is not unique to the NZ potato industry. In recent months, the US and Australia have also called for duties or actions to limit what they see as under-priced EU fry imports.

“Other NZ industries may also be facing trade threats as a consequence of Covid-19 and PNZ has led the way in New Zealand, by quickly utilising the toolbox available through the World Trade Organisation and MBIE.”


The MBIE investigation could take up to six months.

More like this

Colonial science?

Colonial science?

OPINION: Science funding for the bulwark of the nation, agriculture, is in a parlous state and less taxpayer money is shelled out for it every year.

Waste-watch

OPINION: Media luvvies have pigeon-holed the Taxpayers Union (TPU) as some right-wing lobby, but as far as this old mutt can tell, the TPU focuses on shaming poor behaviour and wasteful spending by those that govern us, no matter who's in power.

Spud growers seek fair returns

Regulation changes, future proofing the industry and ensuring fair returns are some of the challenges facing potato growers, according to Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Kate Trufitt.

Popular Reads

Featured

Editorial: Credit where it's due

OPINION: While farmers are busy and diligently doing their best to deal with unwanted gasses, the opponents of farming - namely the Greens and their mates - are busy polluting the atmosphere with tirades of hot air about what farmers supposedly aren't doing.

Farmers Lead Sustainability Push: Woodchip bioreactor cuts nitrate runoff in Manawatu

Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals. The phrase 'dirty dairying' continues to surface from time to time. But as reporter Peter Burke points out, quite the opposite is the case. He says, quietly and behind the scenes, farmers are embracing new ideas and technologies to make their farms sustainable, resilient, environmentally friendly and profitable.

National

Machinery & Products