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Current regulation has set up local industry to fail, Xenophon

Independent senator, Nick Xenophon has said that poor testing and weak anti-dumping measures for cheap imported food products is a key reason as to why the Australian industry is in trouble.

Xenophon’s comments have come just after Chinese cabinet minister, Wang Shiyuan revealed that more than three million hectares of farmland was “too polluted” go grow food. A figure that some scientists believe is closer to 24.3 million hectares, the Weekly Times Now reports.

Weak environmental laws coupled with an increase in Chinese agricultural production has left parts of the countryside significantly damaged by the overuse of chemicals, resulting in high levels of lead, cadmium, pesticides and various other toxins.

While some areas are now prohibited for Chinese farmers to grow crops intended for human consumption, tainted foods are still getting through the cracks with recent tests indicating that some Chinese canned peaches intended for sale in Australia contained twice the acceptable amount of lead.

"The Government needs to understand that free trade shouldn't be 'free for all' trade," said Xenophon.

Xenophon also said that current regulation has “set up the local industry to fail,” and that the country would face an influx of cheap imported produce should troubled cannery, SPC Ardmona close.

WA today also reports that Xenophon intends to push for a senate inquiry into the food processing industry with a focus on anti-dumping mechanisms.

 

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