The European Commission issued a decision May 14 announcing it will repeal anti-dumping duties on European Union imports of U.S. ethanol, reports Ethanol Producer Magazine. The anti-dumping duties have been in place since early 2013.
Representatives of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) welcomed the decision by the European Commission to not renew anti-dumping duties on European Union (EU) imports of U.S. ethanol.
The decision stems from the European Commission’s expiry review of the anti-dumping action the Commission took in 2013, which have been in place since then. In announcing its decision, USGC found no evidence that warranted continuation of those duties and that their removal of duties would not encourage dumping in the EU.
“The decision today in the EU to allow more open access for U.S. ethanol is very welcome by our industry and the members of the U.S. Grains Council,” says Tom Sleight, president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to working with our customers and counterparts in the EU to fulfill the ethanol demanded by their biofuels policy and environment- and price-conscious consumers.”
Craig Willis, senior vice president of global markets for Growth Energy, also welcomed the European Commission’s decision to open the market to free and fair competition.
"By removing unjustified duties on U.S. ethanol, the Commission is opening critical new opportunities for member states to take full advantage of affordable, low-carbon biofuels. It’s a win-win for our EU trading partners, who will be better positioned to meet their environmental goals while holding down prices for European drivers," he says. "We are pleased with the Commission’s decision to terminate these penalties immediately. RFA has always maintained these penalties were unjustified and unwarranted,” according to RFA CEO Geoff Cooper. “The U.S. ethanol industry is looking forward to resuming more open trade relations with the European Union. With today’s removal of these duties, consumers in the EU will once again have unfettered access to clean, affordable, renewable fuels.”
