EU states seen backing duties on U.S. biodiesel

Published: 30 May 2009 18:21:28 PST

BRUSSELS, May 28 - Most European Union member states indicated on Thursday they would support a European Commission plan to extend anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of biodiesel from the United States, EU sources said.

The European Union's executive arm, which oversees trade policy for the 27-country bloc, submitted a proposal to impose "definitive", or permanent, tariffs of up to five years to member states at a meeting of the EU's anti-dumping committee.

"There were a number of questions raised, but those opposed were certainly in the minority," one source with knowledge of the meeting said.

Governments must submit their positions in writing before June 2 before approval by EU ministers next month.