AusVeg National Convention:
Australian senator Nick Xenophon wants anti-dumping laws to be strengthened
The AusVeg national convention in Queensland at the weekend heard the Australian Government was allowing growers to face challenges unarmed - including cheap imports, poor labelling, dumping and the high dollar.
Senator Nick Xenophon said anti-dumping laws needed to be strengthened.
Released in 2011, the Coalition anti-dumping policy transferred responsibility from Customs to the Department of Industry, reversed the onus of proof from Australian businesses to their overseas competitors and committed more funding for anti-dumping investigations.
"It's the only way to even the playing field," Mr Xenophon said.
Senators at the conference pledged their support to the industry and said it needed to be united.
Senator Anne Ruston condemned the disconnect between Canberra and primary producers, calling for politicians to "butt out".
Senator Ruston said growers should decide what they wanted and lobby the government.
"It makes it a lot easier to come up with a position when we know what the united position of the industry is," Senator Ruston said.
"They know best what will help their industry."
Anti-coal seam gas activist Ruth Armstrong said horticulture production was also threatened by CSG exploration.
Ms Armstrong, who is a founding member of Save Our Darling Downs said organic farmers could "kiss goodbye" to accreditation due to contamination.
"The landholder doesn't have the right to say no because the Crown owns the resources," she said.
