Canada Leads U.S. in Greenhouse Technology

VANCOUVER - Jun 13/05 - SNS -- Canada's primary advantage over competitors in the United States is in its use of technology, argues Statistics Canada in a review of the sector published earlier this year.

Canada's technological advantage in the greenhouse sector was underscored in the results of trade disputes over tomatoes between the two countries. The problem started in 2001 when six American greenhouse tomato companies filed an anti-dumping petition against Canada.

They alleged that imports of greenhouse tomatoes were being sold in the United States at less than fair value, and were materially injuring or threatening to injure American greenhouse tomato producers.

Between 1996 and 2001, US imports of tomatoes from Canada more than quadrupled in value from $53 million to $266 million. Preliminary duties were levied against exports of greenhouse tomatoes from British Columbia.

However, in April, 2002, the U.S. International Trade Commission subsequently ruled that imported greenhouse tomatoes from Canada had not materially injured or threatened the United States industry.

Although all duties were eventually returned to producers, the actions caused significant industry disruption while the duties were in place.

In September 2001, Canadian greenhouse growers followed up the American action by filing a formal anti-dumping complaint against American fresh tomato imports. They were unsuccessful as well.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here