Canada relaxes anti-dumping potato rules

WSPC absorbing decision to determine group's next move

COLUMBIA BASIN —The Washington State Potato Commission is absorbing the information from Monday's decision made regarding anti-dumping duties placed on potatoes into British Columbia.

The state's potato industry went before a Canadian International Trade Tribunal in July to argue that the British Columbia anti-dumping duties, which have been in place for more than 20 years, have an adverse affect on sales of Washington potatoes into the Canadian province.

Matt Harris, Washington State Potato Commission director of trade, received word Monday afternoon that the CITT voted for exemption of red, yellow and exotic potatoes from the anti-dumping duties, as well as Russet and white potatoes in counts of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 in 50-pound cartons.

"This is part of the solution," Harris said. "But we're very positive … This is something above and beyond what they've done in the past, so this is great."

It was the goal of the state's representatives to have the anti-dumping duties removed entirely.

Potatoes that remain subject to the duties include Russet and white potatoes in smaller count sizes in 50 pound cartons, paper/poly or film bags of 10, 15 or 20 pounds and 5-10 or 10-5 film bags.

"We wanted everything," Harris said. "We wanted this to be thrown out. We wanted to be able to export all of these potatoes."

Harris said there is a 30-day period to fill an appeal of the CITT decision, and that it would be determined later on whether an appeal will be filed.

"This is just kind of new information to us," he said. "We need time to talk it over with the commission and other parties, and see how much farther we want to go with this."

The next step will come within the next few days, Harris said.

"For the most part, it's just an opening to a market for us," he said of the decision.