EC to Review Extension to B99 Measures on US Biodiesel Imports

An investigation aimed at extending anti-dumping and countervailing measures - known as B99 measures - on US biodiesel imports, was launched by the European Commission on September 14, reports the Oils & Fats International on September 30. The notices of initiation published in the EU Official Journal on 14 September confirmed that sufficient evidence of a likelihood and injury existed to justify the review. Existing duties would remain in place during the investigation period which was expected to last around a year. 

The move followed a request from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) on 11 June 2020 on behalf of the European biodiesel industry for an extension of the B99 duties for an additional five years to protect the industry from what it claims is ‘unfairly subsidized’ US biodiesel. “The EBB aims to ensure a level playing on the European market. This implies we will request duties for subsidized biodiesel entering the EU, such as in the case for US exports to Europe,” said EBB president Kristell Guizouarn. 

The EBB launched its original B99 complaint in 2008, which resulted in the imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for five years, starting in July 2009. Duties were then circumvented via Canada, which led to the imposition of anti-circumvention measures in 2011. These duties were extended for five years in 2015.