The CBSA investigates the dumping of greenhouse bell peppers

OTTAWA, March 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating an investigation into the alleged injurious dumping of greenhouse bell peppers originating in or exported from the Netherlands.

The investigation follows a complaint filed by the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) of Leamington, Ontario. The complainant alleges that the dumping of these goods is harming Canadian production by causing the following: lost sales, price erosion, price suppression, reduction in gross margins and reduced profitability.

Dumping occurs when goods are sold to importers in Canada at prices that are less than their selling prices in the exporter's domestic market or at unprofitable prices. The Special Import Measures Act (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/S-15/index.html) protects Canadian producers from the damaging effects of such unfair trade.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (http://www.citt.gc.ca/index_e.asp) will now begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by May 21, 2010. While the Tribunal is examining the question of injury, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being dumped and will make a decision by June 21, 2010.

If the Tribunal determines that an unusually large increase in harmful imports has occurred prior to the CBSA's decision and that the retroactive application of anti-dumping or countervailing duty is therefore justified, duty could be levied on the goods brought into Canada as of today.

A copy of the statement of reasons that provides more details about the investigation will be available on the CBSA's Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi within 15 days. More information on the CBSA's Anti-dumping and Countervailing Program or the Special Import Measures Act can also be found on this site.

For further information: For media information: Media Relations, Canada Border Services Agency, [phone]