Union delegates are demanding immediate action from the federal government to protect regional jobs from the threat of cheap imports.
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Rallying at the Ballarat McCain processing plant on Friday morning with workers, McCain representatives, and federal Ballarat MP Catherine King, AMWU state secretary Tony Mavromatis said federal authorities needed to take the issue seriously before the market was flooded with European products.
"I'm not sure whether it's tariffs or subsidies, we just want the federal government to do something, take it seriously and do something for local manufacturing and local jobs - don't sit there and wait for it to happen, get out there and do something about it," he said.
"We don't want the farmers to close their farms and not have the ability to use them in the future.
"Supermarkets need to be accountable, stand up and support local farmers and local jobs."
In a statement, federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said "we are not aware of any compelling evidence at this time to back-up these claims, but are continuing to discuss the matter with AUSVEG and other industry groups".
Mr Mavromatis replied "make it your business to find out, and do something to support the local economy".
McCain delegate Paul Lavery said consumers needed to help put pressure on supermarkets and businesses - the market was already "completely saturated".
"The importers absolutely know the damage it's going to do - where's the mentality of Australian companies and supermarkets, knowing the damage it's going to cause, and thinking it's okay to do that?" he said.
"Don't have it on the (supermarket) shelf in the first place."
Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council secretary Brett Edgington said Australia had an opportunity to become less reliant on global supply chains, as well as retain jobs.
"If heavily subsidised potatoes from Europe land in Australia, we might get slightly cheaper chips for a while, but ... at least 400 jobs here in Ballarat, and hundreds more jobs across our growers and producers in the region, (and) hundreds of people employed in agricultural implement manufacturing - all of that comes under threat," he said.
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"The federal government has an anti-dumping board - we want a very clear message from the federal government and the anti-dumping board that this product will not be allowed to land in Australia."
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