EU Court decision to uphold ADDs for US fuel ethanol an ‘important milestone’ – trade group

LONDON (ICIS)–The decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to uphold US fuel ethanol anti-dumping duties (ADDs) in the EU is an “important milestone” for the EU ethanol industry, the European renewable ethanol association ePure said on Thursday.

“Today’s [Thursday] ruling by the Court of Justice is an important milestone in ensuring that EU industry continues to be protected from unfair ethanol imports originating in the US,” a spokesperson for ePure told ICIS.

The EU imposed ADDs of 9.5% on US product in 2013, which was then challenged by several US fuel ethanol producers.

The ECJ was deciding on the appeal of a case originally brought by US producer Marquis Energy and won by them in 2016.

The court ruled on Thursday that “the judgement of the General Court of the European Union of 9 June 2016, Marquis Energy v Council” be set aside, and dismissed “the action for annulment brought by Marquis Energy LLC as inadmissible”.

This case has taken place separately from a European Commission – the EU’s executive body – review which could still decide to extend, amend or cancel ADDs on US ethanol, which is expected to conclude by May 2019.

“Even though this is not the end of the story, the court case should not interfere with the ongoing expiry review investigation of the European Commission, which is assessing whether the ADDs can be extended for another five-year period,” ePure added.

Pictured: Corn is unloaded at an ethanol plant in the US
Source: Design Pics Inc/REX/Shutterstock 

Additional reporting by Clare Pennington