Brussels, 05/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to open the formal state aid investigation procedure in relation to the excise duty exemptions on heavy oils used for alumina production in Ireland, France and Italy (alumina is a white power principally used in aluminium smelters). EU legislation (Council Directive 92/82/EEC) establishes a minimum rate of excise duty on heavy oil of ECU 13 per 1000 kg. The excise duty normally applied by Ireland, France and Italy to...