Argentine biodiesel

22.11.2017

Question for written answer E-007180-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jean-Paul Denanot (S&D)

After 28 September, the EU lowered taxes on imports of Argentine biodiesel following a complaint by the Argentine authorities resulting from a decision by the EU in 2013 to impose anti-dumping duties of 22% to 25.7% on biodiesel imports from Argentina for that year and the five subsequent years. The duties were removed by a European court in September this year after Argentina won its case at the WTO.

This backward step is a blow to the European oilseed production and processing industry, which employs 200 000 people in Europe. The decision puts intra-European prospects in a precarious position and flies in the face of the circular economy supported by the EU.

The European oilseed industry, which is already suffering as a result of the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), should be given support because of the protein-rich by-products it provides.

With the US imposing hefty taxes on Argentine biodiesel, which is generously subsidised, what will the Commission do to resolve this unbalanced situation?

Might we see the submission to the WTO of a complaint against the practice by Argentina of subsidising its biodiesel exports?