Gov't says Spain lifted biodiesel imports restriction

Spain has lifted the biodiesel imports restrictions that had applied months ago after a bilateral dispute, the government announced after presenting a complaint before the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Argentina had presented a complaint before the WTO against the European Union due to the restrictions applied, and renewed its claims this month.

On December 22, Spain declared a new Ministerial Order that eliminates the text which states the ban of non-EU countries' biodiesel and responds to Argentina's request.

Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman stated in a communiqué that "Argentina will control the application of Spain's new regulation in order to maintain the participation of the Argentine biodiesel in non-discriminatory conditions in the Spaniard market, as well as in the European market."