British Columbia maintains potato import duty for another five year

Canada will continue to impose anti-dumping duties on a large share of U.S. fresh-packed potatoes that enter British Columbia.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruled on Sept. 10 that anti-dumping duties should remain in effect on smaller-sized packs of russet and white potatoes.

The ruling was another victory for the British Columbia Vegetable Marketing Commission and another blow to the Washington State Potato Commission, which has been trying for more than 25 years to get the British Columbia anti-dumping duties removed.

During a hearing before the tribunal in Vancouver in July, the Washington spud commission and the Washington state attorney general's office testified against continuation of the duties.

Washington growers contend that the anti-dumping duties help British Columbia potato grower-shippers to routinely fix prices and manage the flow of fresh spuds into the marketplace, stifling competition.

The duties were scheduled to expire this year on Sept. 12, but the trade tribunal's ruling keeps them in effect for another five years.