European Union has imposed l anti-dumping duty of up to 31.2 per cent on imports of sewage and water steel pipes

European Union (EU) has imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty of up to 31.2 per cent on imports of sewage and water steel pipes from India for six months to protect its domestic industry. This decision was taken after European Commission in its anti-dumping probe concluded that the material injury was caused by the dumped imports from India to the Union industry. The anti-dumping probe was conducted by Commission with regard to imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron used for sewage disposal, drinking water supply and irrigation of agricultural land, originating from India on 20 December 2014. The probe was initiated by the European Commission following complaints filed by Saint-Gobain PAM group on behalf of producers. Implications: This move will have negative impact on Indian exporters of these pipes to the European market. During October 2013 and September 2014 period, Indian export had significantly increased by over 22 per cent in terms of volume. It should be noted that countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if domestic industry has been hurt because of a surge in below cost (cheap) imports.  Anti-dumping duty is imposed as a counter-measure to protect domestic industry under the multilateral World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime.