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EU anti-dumping decision on US bioethanol imports official

As of tomorrow, a 62.9 euro per tonne duty will be applied to all imports of ethanol from the US that are aimed at the fuel market for the next 5 years, writes ePURE in a press release 22.02.13.

The EU Council published today a Regulation imposing an anti-dumping duty on US bioethanol exports to the EU. The anti-dumping duty means that as of tomorrow, a 62.9 euro per tonne duty will be applied to all imports of ethanol from the US that are aimed at the fuel market for the next 5 years.

The decision brings an end a case which was launched in November 2011. 

ePURE considers that as the Commission closed the anti-subsidy proceeding without countervailing measures for the EU industry (on the grounds of a withdrawal of the VEETC subsidy scheme by US authorities), it was only legitimate that the Commission proposed anti-dumping duties for US imports, after concluding in both cases the injury and damage caused to the EU industry during 2011. 

Ethanol exports from the US to the EU jumped from 102 million litres in 2009 to 1.17 billion litres in 2011, so a level 13 times higher and an increase of 1051%. US imports accounted then for up to 20% of EU consumption. These imports have had such a negative impact on ethanol prices in the EU market and for EU ethanol producers that it prevented the domestic ethanol production industry from developing. Many producers encountered a critical financial situation and several ethanol plants were forced to shut down as a result. 

“As I have previously expressed, this decision represents a legitimate recognition of damage suffered by the European ethanol industry”, said Mr. Rob Vierhout, Secretary-General of ePURE. 

“The Commission has taken a very wise decision in this case by applying a reasonable anti-dumping duty rate. I am sure our American counterparts will appreciate that and also the fact that the anti-subsidy case has been closed without countervailing measures, despite many years of subsidisation in the US”. 

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