June 14, 2011
BY Erin Krueger
The Council of the European Union adopted regulations to extend the anti-dumping and countervailing duties that currently apply to imports of biodiesel originating in the U.S. on May 5. Those duties now also apply to U.S.-produced biodiesel that is cosigned from Canada. The anti-dumping and countervailing duties have also been extended to apply to imports of fuel containing 20 percent or less biodiesel by weight that originates from the U.S.
Documentation sourced from the Europa website states that the European Commission received a request from the European Biodiesel Board last June to investigate the possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures that had been established. The request alleged that U.S. biodiesel blended fuel containing 20 percent or less biodiesel was being exported to Europe via Canada and Singapore. The request also alleged that a significant change in pattern in trade involving biodiesel exports from the U.S., Canada and Singapore had taken place since the duties had been established and the remedial effects of the existing anti-dumping measures were being undermined in terms of quality and price.
The investigation concluded that U.S. biodiesel did flow through Canada to Europe, effectively circumventing the required duties. This was not found to be true in Singapore, and that portion of the investigation was terminated.
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The EBB has spoken out in support of the new measures. “The anti-circumvention measures adopted by the council represent a decisive move to ensure that the remedial effect of the EU duties on U.S. biodiesel is fully maintained over time,” said EBB Secretary General Raffaello Garofalo. “Operators should be aware that any future attempt to circumvent the existing duties can be investigated and remedied in the same way, with retroactive financial implications for the companies involved.”
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