Western Australia is a substantial supplier of barley to China,because of its large cropping region and its smaller domestic market for grain.
"Ultimately we don't want to see those tariffs implemented,we don't think there's any basis for them and we're working closely with the Australian Government,Grain Trade Australia and the industry group to ensure MOFCOM (People’s Republic of China,Ministry of Commerce) has all the information they need,"Mr Spurway toldThe Age and theHerald.
"Obviously as (with) any agricultural business or business that's close to global trade,we'd like to see a level playing field."
The barley tariff issue emerged over the weekend and is a major flashpoint in the diplomatic stoush between Australia and China,after Australia called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. The call has infuriated China,with China's ambassador to Australia warning that Chinese consumers could boycott Australian products like beef and wine.
But Australian barley exports to China have been under the microscope for years,with China's Ministry of Commerce conducting an anti-dumping investigation into Australian grain imports since 2010. It has alleged Australian farmers produced barley at a price below its"normal"level from 2014 to 2016,to the detriment of local producers.
China's Ministry of Commerce is expected to make a final decision on the issue on or before May 19.
Mr Spurway's comments came as GrainCorp delivered a $388 million statutory net profit for the six months to March 31,buoyed by the $333 million sale of its bulk liquid terminals business.