Next step in WTO process to support barley producers

Australia will request the World Trade Organization (WTO) establish a dispute settlement panel in the next phase of the process to resolve anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on Australian barley by China.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the next step followed dispute settlement consultations in late January between Australia and China.

“While there was constructive engagement on both sides, these consultations did not resolve our concerns,” Mr Tehan said.

“The WTO dispute settlement system is designed to allow Members to settle their differences over trade matters in a respectful manner. This decision is an appropriate use of an established system to resolve our differences and is consistent with action Australia has previously taken to address concerns with measures imposed by other trading partners.

“The Government is committed to defending the interests of Australian barley producers.

“Australia's barley trade with China represents a great deal of hard work on both sides over many years. The anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on Australian barley exports are not consistent with China's WTO obligations.

“Australia strongly supports the multilateral rules-based trading system, with the WTO at its core. We will continue to work within that system to stand up for the rights of Australian exporters.”