Wheat Gluten Dumping Investigation Extended

Summary#

On November 5, 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) extended the preliminary phase of an investigation under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged dumping of certain wheat gluten from Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania. The CBSA moved the deadline from 90 days to 135 days, so it will decide on or before December 23, 2020 whether to make a preliminary finding or end the investigation.

What it does#

• Extends the preliminary stage of the CBSA’s investigation from 90 days to 135 days under the Special Import Measures Act.
• Covers alleged injurious dumping of certain wheat gluten from Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania.
• Requires the CBSA to decide on or before December 23, 2020 whether to issue a preliminary determination of dumping or to terminate the investigation.
• Provides a point of contact (the CBSA SIMA Registry) and the CBSA website for more information.

Who's affected#

• Exporters of the specified wheat gluten from Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania.
• Canadian producers who raised the complaint and other domestic wheat-gluten producers.
• Canadian importers, distributors or traders who handle the affected wheat gluten.
• The notice does not name specific companies. It is unclear which individual firms will be most affected until the CBSA’s decision.

Why it matters#

• The extension keeps the investigation open longer, so businesses face more time with uncertainty about whether a preliminary finding will be made.
• Importers and exporters may need to adjust short-term plans (orders, shipments, contracts) while they wait for the CBSA’s decision.
• A preliminary determination (if made) would be the next major step in the process and would shape what happens next in the trade dispute.