The designated authority in the Commerce Ministry has initiated anti-dumping investigation into imported intermediate for pesticide, diethyl thio phosphoryl chloride from China, following a complaint from the domestic firm Cheminova India Ltd, Mumbai and supported by Excel Industries Ltd, Mumbai.

In its initiation notification, the authority said the subject good is a colourless or light yellow/amber organic liquid with a disagreeable odour. Diethyl thio phosphoryl chloride is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents and is a highly toxic chemical that might irritate eyes and lungs.

While initiating the probe, the authority conceded that export price of the subject goods from China has been determined by considering transaction-wise import data gleaned from secondary sources. Adjustments have been made on account of ocean freight, marine insurance, commission, and port expenses in the exporting country to arrive at ex-factory export price.

Determining parameters

It said the applicant marshalled the requisite information on various parameters concerning material injury, the analysis of which reveals that imports have escalated in absolute terms as also in relation to production and consumption in India. Various economic parameters pertaining to the domestic industry shows that market share, profits, return on investment and cash flow declined during the injury period. It said production, sales and capacity utilisation declined up to 2006-07 and partly recovered in 2007-08. But, the level of production, sales and capacity utilisation achieved in 2007-08 is lower than the levels achieved in 2004-05 and 2005-06. However, an analysis of various economic parameters essentially established that domestic industry has suffered material injury from dumped imports.

The period of investigation is in the fiscal year 2007-08 from April to March, while the injury investigation period would cover the years of 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, according to the authority.