Mr CREAN —My question is directed to the Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs. I refer to the anti-dumping case regarding imports of the herbicide glyphosate from China. Can the minister confirm that his department has recommended that China be confirmed a market economy for the purposes of this case? If he accepts the classification of China as a market economy, can he guarantee that this will not flow on to other dumping cases on goods from China?

Mr PROSSER —I can confirm that a case was brought by Monsanto against the importers of glyphosate, which is a knockdown herbicide. Customs initially made a preliminary finding that the product had been dumped and there was material injury. That matter was reviewed by the Anti-Dumping Authority. The first question is the two tests as to whether the product coming in is dumped and has caused material injury to an Australian manufacturer; then it is a question of whether the Australian manufacturer meets the Australian manufactured test; and, finally, how the normal value is determined. In this case the question is whether we take a surrogate country or determine that country as having a market economy.

I have had a preliminary report from the Anti-Dumping Authority and I have asked them for some supporting information. When I have that supporting information, I will make my decision on the report that they have sent to me.