The European Union (EU) will be imposing anti-dumping duties on US biodiesel imports starting July 12, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported last Wednesday (July 8). The European Commission made the proposal, which was adopted by the EU’s finance ministers in Brussels, Belgium, reportedly on conditions of anonymity.
The duties, ranging from €23 ($32) to €41 per 100 kilograms (160 pounds), will be imposed within the next five years, said the AFP.
Complaints lodged by the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) about heavily subsidized US biodiesel reportedly prompted the imposition of the duties. The EBB claims that huge US subsidies have allowed US biodiesel to be sold below US producers’ costs. In the AFP report, the group cited the case of the US biodiesel blend B99 which had surged in sales by up to 40% last year compared to 2007. The said trend apparently threatens the competitiveness of European biodiesel producers.
Biodiesel represents 80% of total biofuel production in Europe, with US biodiesel comprising most of the imports. Biodiesel is considered as a crucial solution in the European goal of increasing the region’s renewable energy use by 20% come 2020 compared to 1990 levels, AFP reports.
EU imposes duties on US biodiesel
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