The review by the EU Commission of the fairness of its anti-dumping duties on Russian ammonium nitrate began on Thursday when it was formally announced in the official journal of the European Union.
Fertiliser exporters in Russia, importers, EU fertiliser manufacturers and other interested parties now have strict deadlines for making submissions.
The review will be completed within 15 months, ie no later than mid-November 2018, the notice states.
Irish farmers will be hoping it results in the removal of the duties, resulting in more competition in the EU fertiliser market and lower prices.
The anti-dumping duties on ammonium nitrate from Russia range from €32.83/t to €47.07/t, while there are additional customs tariffs of 6.5%.
The IFA estimates that if the duties were abolished, the saving to Irish and EU farmers – if fully passed back – would be over €30/t on high-nitrogen fertilisers.
The EU notice states that the request for a review was lodged by eight farmers’ associations, led by IFA. The other farm organisations are in Spain, the UK, France, Italy and Finland.
They sought a review on the basis that:
The circumstances which led to the introduction of the anti-dumping duties have changed and these changes are long-lasting.The EU fertiliser industry has restructured and concentrated.The cost of production has changed because the cost of gas, the main raw material, decreased significantly.The anti-dumping duties are therefore no longer necessary, the IFA and the other farm organisations stated.The review will examine the fertiliser market in the year to 30 June 2017.Russian participation
Exporting producers in Russia are invited to participate and have 15 days to make themselves known to the Commission.
The Commission will select a sample of such producers to negotiate with. They will be asked to complete a questionnaire within 37 days.
Likewise, the EU Commission will choose representative samples of importers and EU fertiliser manufacturers, asking them to complete questionnaires within 37 days.
If any interested party refuses to co-operate or tries to impede the investigation, the EU Commission will make findings based on the facts available.
First step
The EU Commission’s move is an important first step in creating a level playing field, IFA president Joe Healy said.
"The abolition of anti-dumping duties and tariffs on non-EU fertiliser imports will help to restore competitiveness to Irish and European agriculture. This move would save Irish farmers an estimated €32m per annum and European farmers €1bn.”
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The review by the EU Commission of the fairness of its anti-dumping duties on Russian ammonium nitrate began on Thursday when it was formally announced in the official journal of the European Union.
Fertiliser exporters in Russia, importers, EU fertiliser manufacturers and other interested parties now have strict deadlines for making submissions.
The review will be completed within 15 months, ie no later than mid-November 2018, the notice states.
Irish farmers will be hoping it results in the removal of the duties, resulting in more competition in the EU fertiliser market and lower prices.
The anti-dumping duties on ammonium nitrate from Russia range from €32.83/t to €47.07/t, while there are additional customs tariffs of 6.5%.
The IFA estimates that if the duties were abolished, the saving to Irish and EU farmers – if fully passed back – would be over €30/t on high-nitrogen fertilisers.
The EU notice states that the request for a review was lodged by eight farmers’ associations, led by IFA. The other farm organisations are in Spain, the UK, France, Italy and Finland.
They sought a review on the basis that:
The circumstances which led to the introduction of the anti-dumping duties have changed and these changes are long-lasting.The EU fertiliser industry has restructured and concentrated.The cost of production has changed because the cost of gas, the main raw material, decreased significantly.The anti-dumping duties are therefore no longer necessary, the IFA and the other farm organisations stated.The review will examine the fertiliser market in the year to 30 June 2017.Russian participation
Exporting producers in Russia are invited to participate and have 15 days to make themselves known to the Commission.
The Commission will select a sample of such producers to negotiate with. They will be asked to complete a questionnaire within 37 days.
Likewise, the EU Commission will choose representative samples of importers and EU fertiliser manufacturers, asking them to complete questionnaires within 37 days.
If any interested party refuses to co-operate or tries to impede the investigation, the EU Commission will make findings based on the facts available.
First step
The EU Commission’s move is an important first step in creating a level playing field, IFA president Joe Healy said.
"The abolition of anti-dumping duties and tariffs on non-EU fertiliser imports will help to restore competitiveness to Irish and European agriculture. This move would save Irish farmers an estimated €32m per annum and European farmers €1bn.”
€30/t at stake in Russian fertiliser price review
Competition authorities clear Origin buyout of Bunn Fertilisers
Taking steps to build autumn grass covers
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