Union calls for tariffs to save fruit sector THE Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is demanding emergency tariffs be imposed on a flood of cheap imported fruit, declaring this crucial to avoiding more job cuts. The AMWU has backed calls for the safeguard tariffs by struggling Goulburn Valley cannery SPC Ardmona, the nation's biggest remaining fruit and vegetable processor that says it has been hit by a "perfect storm" of the high dollar, the dumping of cheap imported produce, and the fact that China and the EU impose tariffs of up to 20 per cent. The union says that 30 per cent of jobs and 19 per cent of full-time jobs have been lost at SPC Ardmona "and the room to move is diminishing at breakneck speed." In a controversial draft decision last month, the Productivity Commission found there was no compelling evidence to warrant emergency World Trade Organisation safeguard actions such as tariffs on processed tomato and fruit products, including citrus, pears and apricots. But in a new submission, the AMWU warns of a "tipping point" where the board of SPC and its parent company, Coca-Cola Amatil, see the PC decision "and the absence of supporting measures as 'the final straw'." "For many growers who are being forced to withdraw from the industry that conclusion has already been made," the submission says. Critical circumstances exist where delay in applying measures will cause damage which will be difficult to repair. Yesterday, AMWU national secretary Paul Bastian said a flood of imports had "slaughtered employment" in the local industry and that the union backed SPC Ardmona's concerns. Arguing for the WTO measures, Mr Bastian said Australia could not become Asia's food bowl "if you can't save Goulburn Valley." Yesterday, SPC Ardmona managing director Peter Kelly warned that "the high Australian dollar isn't helpful for the food processors." "We've been talking to the government about the Productivity Commission inquiry and are participating in the hearing process," Mr Kelly said. He said the company had appeared at PC hearings yesterday "to seek answers to what we believed were several poorly researched and incorrect findings." The PC's final report to the government is due by December 20, which would decide whether there was a case for full safeguard measures.