Oct 11, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the investigation by the Anti-Dumping Commissioner into imported copy paper from China. The application for an investigation specifically mentions some of the consequences of dumping which include, reduced employment, reduced sales volumes and reduced research and development, as the AFPA said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

Earlier this year the Australian Forest Products Association suggested that the Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Measures) Act 2013, was workable in its current form but could be improved by amendment.

AFPA CEO Mr Ross Hampton said; “Australian industry is vitally interested in the effectiveness of the anti-dumping system. It must address instances of international subsidies, predatory and anti-competitive behaviour.

“AFPA hopes that this investigation will determine if office paper from China is being sold at dumped prices or expose the elements missing from the Act that would make it more effective.

“Improving import data transparency is critically important during the investigation of anti-dumping and subsidy cases. The Commissioner must be able to easily access reliable information from the importers about market of origin conditions in order to make effective and timely decisions. The Act, even in its current form, will help preserve Australian jobs and manufacturing capability that are threatened by dumping activity,” said Mr Hampton.

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) is the peak industry association for the forest products industry. AFPA has been established to represent a variety of businesses that make-up the forest products sector; such as tree growers, harvest and haulage contractors, sawmillers, forest product exporters, and pulp and paper processors.