North-West Tasmanian farmer fears impact dumping of fries from Europe could have on Australian potato industry

This season has been one of the most challenging for potato farmers on the North-West and the proposed import of frozen french fries from Europe amid the coronavirus pandemic could have a devastating impact on the industry.

Thirlstane potato farmer and Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) board member Matt Ryan said the move needed to be prevented for the survival of the industry in Australia.

"I think it is appalling and something that should be stopped. I would think if there is dumping of product being brought into this country the sustainability of our industry would be compromised because it is going to drop the wholesale prices," he said.

"We need to maintain the prices we are getting because the industry is having a tough time at the moment with our season."

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European Union processors are looking to offload a glut of 2.6 million tonnes of potatoes following the closure of restaurants and other food service providers which would impact Australia's 1.4 million tonne annual crop.

Representative body Ausveg has written to cabinet ministers on behalf of the potato industry to raise the alarm calling for the Australian Government to urgently enact short-term measures to limit the importation of heavily discounted frozen potato chips from the European Union.

Simplot Potato Growers Group and TFGA chairman, Trevor Hall, said Australian producers could not compete if products were imported from the Northern Hemisphere on account of the procedures in place with Australia home to "the most sustainable system I have seen around the world".

"It is going to be up to the government, the ball is in their court as to whether they want the Australian potato industry to survive," he said.

"We can't take a double whammy with the season that we have had."

Mr Ryan said this had been one of the worst seasons to date with the inundation of rainfall on the North-West since potatoes stopped growing in March equaling the amount of water that was required to make them grow and impacting quality with excess moisture causing rot.

"The seasonal conditions for this harvest and the losses are very significant and I would say it would be front page news but because of coronavirus it is barely rating a mention," he said.