EU to open anti-dumping probe into US biodiesel imports

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BRUSSELS (AFP) — The European Union will on Friday open anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into imports of biofuel from the United States, European sources said.

The move came after the European Commission investigated industry complaints that the US action was hitting Europe's biodiesel industry.

The European Biodiesel Board called for the investigation in April, complaining that the European market was being flooded with US exports of a 99-percent biodiesel blend, which can receive a subsidy of 300 dollars (192 euros) per tonne.

On top of the US aid, exports of the so-called B99 blend are also eligible for a subsidy in Europe as well.

The lobby said the subsidies were squeezing European producers' profit margins, putting most of them out...