NBB asks EC not to extend US biodiesel duties

Oct 1, 2014 - The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) yesterday urged the European Commission (EC) to allow the “unfair” anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of US biodiesel to expire in 2014, as scheduled.

Since July 2009, US biodiesel imports have been subject to punitive levies of up to EUR 198.00 (EUR 249.31) per tonne for dumping and up to EUR 237/tonne to counter subsidies. These duties were scheduled to expire this year, but the commission is presently trying to determine whether to reinstate them at the request of the European industry. This review is seen to last between 12 and 15 months.

The NBB now claims that worldwide trade for biodiesel has changed substantially since 2009 and called the possibility of adding more years to the levies “protectionist and unnecessary”. It also pointed out that European biodiesel producers have the option to sell in both Europe and the US without any limitations. Moreover, they are able to freely take part in US programmes such as the Renewable Fuel Standard and the US biodiesel tax incentive.

“Eliminating these duties will level the playing field and allow US producers to fairly compete in accordance with international law,” said Anne Steckel, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs.

The EU also has anti-dumping duties on US imports of another biofuel -- bioethanol, introduced in February 2013 for five years. The levy in that case is EUR 62.3 per tonne.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.260)

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