The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) is now investigating the growth in exports of new biodiesel blends that circumvent import duties recently imposed in the long-running US/EU biodiesel trade saga (see previous OFIs).

Amandine Lacourt, a project manager at EBB, told Bloomberg news agency late October that the EBB suspected that US exporters were now shipping a new blend, not covered by the duties.

A spokesman from the European Commission (EC) said the EC was aware of the EBB’s concerns, but made no further comment.

The EU is the world’s biggest biodiesel market and the EBB says domestic producers are being hurt by unfair trade practices.

According to Eurostat figures, EU imports from the USA of biodiesel blends covered by the duties have fallen to almost zero since April 2009.

In the same period, however, Lacourt suggests that around 140,000 tonnes of US biodiesel have entered the EU in the form of blends not covered by the duties, according to data from the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The EBB is working with EU trade authorities to widen the scope of the levies – which currently target pure biodiesel and blends down to 20% biodiesel – to cover lower blends as well.