Brussels, 29/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - Despite Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel being doubly taxed, European biodiesel producers believe that the level of the provisional anti-subsidy duties applied to biodiesel exports from Argentina and Indonesia is insufficient.
At the origin of the two anti-dumping and anti-subsidy complaints lodged in 2012, the association of European biodiesel producers (EBB) believes that the provisional compensatory anti-subsidy duties adopted this week by the European Commission against imports of Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel are not “high enough” to sanction the countries' “aggressive market behaviour”.
Members of the EBB were “rather taken aback” by the European Commission's decision to postpone to a definitive stage the adoption of heavier anti-subsidy duties. “The unfair competitiveness provided by differentiated export taxes policies greatly hampers the viability of the European industry”, EBB regrets. It says it is “determined” to help the Commission's DG Trade show the harmful effects of the unfair trade from the two countries.
Since 2010, imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia have skyrocketed, reaching 2.5 million tonnes in 2011 and 2012. In three years these countries' European market share rose from 0% to almost 30% in 2012. Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel represents 90% of total biodiesel imports in the EU.
Provisional anti-dumping measures were also adopted against Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel at the end of May (see EUROPE 10853). The definitive anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties will be decided on 29 November and 10 December respectively. (EH/transl.fl)