KAP in call for action on India sugar dump

KATTER’S Australian Party MPs are urging the Federal Government to take action against India’s decision to dump tonnes of subsidised sugar on the global market.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said the decision taken by India was “disgraceful” and came when sugarcane growers were dealing with a sugar price below the cost of production.

“It’s time the Federal Coalition Government joined with other affected countries of the Global Sugar Alliance and held India accountable before the World Trade Organisation,” he said.

“The Government has the power to take some real action here and preliminary analysis done by Canegrowers indicates that India is in breach of WTO rules.”

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has indicated the Government is willing to take action.

Mr Dametto’s call for action was backed by KAP’s federal leader, Kennedy MP Bob Katter.

“Most of my last speeches in Parliament have been what I’ve hoped are fierce attacks upon the hypocrisy of free trade, upon our industry representative organisations, particularly in agriculture,” Mr Katter said.

“All we’ve got out of these bodies in Canberra is a clapping of hands for every free trade deal.

“What country on free trades?”

Mr Katter also cast doubt on the willingness of industrial countries like China or India to be transparent when it came to playing by the rules on free trade. Earth