TRA opens transition review into biodiesel from Argentina

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today launched a transition review into countervailing measures on biodiesel imported from Argentina.  

These measures are among those inherited from the EU system and the TRA is reviewing them to establish whether they are still suitable for the UK’s needs. At present the duty payable on imports of biodiesel from Argentina ranges from 25%-33.4%. 

The products in scope of this review are “fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters or paraffinic gas oils obtained from synthesis or hydro-treatment, of non-fossil origin, in pure form or as included in a blend” – commonly known as biodiesel.  

In 2022, UK biodiesel consumption was 1789 million litres, of which 97% was used for road transport - biodiesel can be blended with mineral diesel for use as road fuel. 

The period of investigation for this transition review will be 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023 and the injury period will be 1 October 2019 – 30 September 2023.  

Businesses that may be affected by this review (such as importers or exporters of the products or UK producers of similar products) can contribute to the review process by registering their interest in the case on the TRA’s online case platform by 23 October 2023. All new developments in the case will be posted on the TRA’s public file.  

Notes to editors:  

• The TRA is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports. Trade remedies are usually applied at the border as a duty on imports. 
• Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU. Over 40 EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were transitioned into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA is currently reviewing each one to check if it is suitable for UK needs. 
• Countervailing, or subsidy, duties counteract imports being subsidised by their place of origin that cause material injury to a domestic industry.  
• The UK government accepted in November last year the TRA’s recommendation that measures on imports of fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters (FAME) biodiesel from the USA and Canada be kept at their current levels for five years from 30 January 2021, but that tariffs on imports of hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) Biodiesel be removed.