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Text · Opinion parliamentary committee draft

On the proposal for a Council directive restructuring the Union framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (recast)

Document AGRI-PA-719785 · COM(2021)0563 – C90362/2021 – 2021/0213(CNS)

Kind
Opinion parliamentary committee draft AGRI-PA-719785
Date
7 March 2022
Committee
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Rapporteur
Martin Hlaváček
Dossier
2021-0213
More facts (2)
Reference
COM(2021)0563 – C90362/2021 – 2021/0213(CNS)
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Jump to an amendment (11)

Short justification

The proposal under consideration, amending the Directive on the restructuring of the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (DTE) will have a considerable impact on the primary sector.

The recast proposal is part of the European Green Deal ("EGD") and of the Fit for 55 legislative package. It focuses on environmental and climate issues, supporting the Commission’s commitment to tackle environment-related challenges, achieve the EU’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions reductions objectives and reduce air pollution.

One of the main novelties in the proposal is the switch from volume to energy content-based taxation. Moreover, Tax structure is simplified by grouping energy products according to their environmental performance and exemptions and reductions are generally reduced.

The proposal considerably changes the taxation regime for the energy used in agriculture. Tax exemptions (including the implementation of a level of taxation down to zero) and reductions to energy products and electricity used for agricultural, horticultural or piscicultural works, and in forestry, to the extent currently applied, will no longer be possible.

Although the Member States will still be able to apply limited tax reductions to energy products used for agricultural, horticultural or aquaculture works, and in forestry, this possibility will relate solely to heating purposes (Article 17.d)

The rapporteur considers that extending the possibility of applying exemptions and reductions in the rates of taxation on, for example, gas oil for agricultural use in the current context of disproportionate fixed production costs is paramount in terms of European food security and sector’s competitiveness since no alternatives exist to the gas oil used in agricultural machinery.

In terms of definitions, the proposal for the amendment of Directive 2003/96 fails to establish clear definitions of bio based energy products, and instead refers to provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001 (RED II). In this regard, the rapporteur proposes to merge certain categories and rates to size the full potential of bio based energy products in the energy transition.

Finally, the rapporteur calls for the European Parliament to be included among the institutions which must be kept informed on the implementation of the DTE by the European Commission in the five years following the entry into force.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committee responsible, to take into account the following amendments:

Amendment 1

Proposal for a directive

Recital 26

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(26) In particular, highly efficient combined heat and power generation and, in order to promote the use of alternative energy sources, renewable forms of energy may qualify for preferential treatment.(26) In particular, highly efficient combined heat and power generation and, in order to promote the use of alternative energy sources, renewable forms of energy may qualify for preferential treatment. It is desirable to establish a Union framework to allow Member States to exempt or reduce excise duties so as to promote biofuels, thereby contributing to the better functioning of the internal market and affording Member States and economic operators a sufficient degree of legal certainty. Distortions of competition should be limited and the incentive of a reduction in the basic costs for producers and distributors of biofuels should be maintained through, inter alia, the adjustments by Member States taking into account changes in raw material prices.

Or. en

Amendment 2

Proposal for a directive

Recital 27

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(27) Targeted reductions in the tax level may prove necessary to incentivise the achievement of environmental protection objectives and improvements in energy efficiency of the Union productive sector.(27) Targeted reductions in the tax level may prove necessary to incentivise the achievement of environmental protection objectives, the improvement in energy efficiency and the international competitiveness of the Union productive sector.

Or. en

Amendment 3

Proposal for a directive

Recital 28

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(28) Targeted reductions in the tax level may prove necessary to tackle the social impact of energy taxes. An exemption from taxation may temporarily prove necessary to protect vulnerable households.(28) Targeted reductions in the tax level may prove necessary to tackle the social or sectorial impact of energy taxes. An exemption from taxation may temporarily prove necessary to protect vulnerable households or strategic sectors. The primary sector, and particularly food production, merit specific treatment as the value of energy products used in agriculture, forestry and horticulture represents a significant share of agricultural costs.

Or. en

Amendment 4

Proposal for a directive

Recital 36

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(36) Every five years and for the first time five years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission should report to the Council on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, especially as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report should take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and the wider relevant objectives of the Treaties.(36) Every five years and for the first time five years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission should report to the Council and to the European Parliament on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, especially as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report should take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and the wider relevant objectives of the Treaties.

Or. en

Amendment 5

Proposal for a directive

Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point b – subparagraph 3 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
For the purposes of this Directive, sustainable biofuel is liquid fuel produced from other feedstocks than those listed in Annex IX, Part A, to Directive 2018/2001, and complying with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emission-saving criteria of this Directive, as appropriate.
For the purposes of this Directive, sustainable biogas is a gaseous fuel produced from other feedstocks than those listed in Annex IX, Part A, to Directive 2018/2001, and complying with the sustainability and GHG emission-saving criteria of this Directive, as appropriate.

Or. en

Amendment 6

Proposal for a directive

Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point d

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) renewable fuels of non-biological origin, advanced sustainable biofuels, bioliquids, biogas and advanced sustainable products falling within CN codes 4401 and 4402;(d) renewable fuels of non-biological origin, sustainable biofuels, bioliquids, biogas and - sustainable products falling within CN codes 4401 and 4402

Or. en

Amendment 7

Proposal for a directive

Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ea) energy products and electricity used for agricultural, horticultural or aquacultural works and forestry.

Or. en

Amendment 8

Proposal for a directive

Article 31 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Every five years and for the first time five years after 1 January 2023, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report on the application of this Directive.Every five years and for the first time five years after 1 January 2023, the Commission shall submit to the Council and to the European Parliament a report on the application of this Directive.

Or. en

Amendment 9

Proposal for a directive

Annex I – table A

Table from the text: Text proposed by the Commission
Text proposed by the Commission
Table A. — Minimum levels of taxation applicable to motor fuels for the purposes of Article 7 (in EUR/Gigajoule)
Start of transitional period (01.01.2023)Final rate after completion of transitional period (01.01.2033) before indexation
Petrol10,7510,75
Gasoil10,7510,75
Kerosene10,7510,75
10,7510,75
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)7,1710,75
Natural gas7,1710,75
Non-sustainable biogas7,1710,75
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin7,1710,75
Sustainable food and feed crop biofuels5,3810,75
Sustainable food and feed crop biogas5,3810,75
Sustainable biofuels5,385,38
Sustainable biogas5,385,38
Low-carbon fuels0.155,38
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable biofuels and biogas0,150,15
Petrol10,7510,75
Amendment
Start of transitional period (01.01.2023)Final rate after completion of transitional period (01.01.2033) before indexation
Petrol10,7510,75
Gasoil10,7510,75
Kerosene10,7510,75
10,7510,75
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)7,1710,75
Natural gas7,1710,75
Non-sustainable biogas7,1710,75
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin7,1710,75
deleteddeleteddeleted
deleteddeleteddeleted
Sustainable biofuels5,385,38
Sustainable biogas5,385,38
Low-carbon fuels0.155,38
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable biofuels and biogas0,150,15

Or. en

Amendment 10

Proposal for a directive

Annex I – table B

Table from the text: Text proposed by the Commission
Text proposed by the Commission
Table B. — Minimum levels of taxation applicable to motor fuels used for the purpose set out in Article 8(2) (in EUR/Gigajoule)
Start of transitional period (01.01.2023)Final rate after completion of transitional period (01.01.2033) before indexation
Gas oil0,90,9
Heavy fuel oil0,90,9
Kerosene0,90,9
Non-sustainable biofuels0,90,9
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)0,60,9
Natural gas0,60,9
Non-sustainable biogas0,60,9
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,60,9
Sustainable food and feed crop biofuels0,450,9
Sustainable food and feed crop biogas0,450,9
Sustainable biofuels0,450,45
Sustainable biogas0,450,45
Low-carbon fuels0.150,45
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable biofuels and biogas0,150,15
Amendment
Start of transitional period (01.01.2023)Final rate after completion of transitional period (01.01.2033) before indexation
Gas oil0,90,9
Heavy fuel oil0,90,9
Kerosene0,90,9
Non-sustainable biofuels0,90,9
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)0,60,9
Natural gas0,60,9
Non-sustainable biogas0,60,9
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,60,9
deleteddeleteddeleted
deleteddeleteddeleted
Sustainable biofuels0,450,45
Sustainable biogas0,450,45
Low-carbon fuels0.150,45
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable biofuels and biogas0,150,15

Or. en

Amendment 11

Proposal for a directive

Annex I – table C

Table from the text: Text proposed by the Commission
Text proposed by the Commission
Table C. — Minimum levels of taxation applicable to heating fuels (in EUR/Gigajoule)
Start of transitional period (01.01.2023)Final rate after completion of transitional period (01.01.2033) before indexation
Gas oil0,90,9
Heavy fuel oil0,90,9
Kerosene0,90,9
Coal and coke0,90,9
Non-sustainable bioliquids0,90,9
Non-sustainable solid products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,90,9
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)0,60,9
Natural gas0,60,9
Non-sustainable biogas0,60,9
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,60,9
Sustainable food and feed crop bioliquids0,450,9
Sustainable food and feed crop biogas0,450,9
Sustainable bioliquids0,450,45
Sustainable biogas0,450,45
Sustainable solid products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,450,45
Low-carbon fuels0.150,45
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable bioliquids, biogas and products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,150,15
Amendment
Gas oil0,90,9
Heavy fuel oil0,90,9
Kerosene0,90,9
Coal and coke0,90,9
Non-sustainable bioliquids0,90,9
Non-sustainable solid products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,90,9
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)0,60,9
Natural gas0,60,9
Non-sustainable biogas0,60,9
Non renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,60,9
deleteddeleteddeleted
deleteddeleteddeleted
Sustainable bioliquids0,450,45
Sustainable biogas0,450,45
Sustainable solid products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,450,45
Low-carbon fuels0.150,45
Renewable fuels of non-biological origin0,150,15
Advanced sustainable bioliquids, biogas and products falling within CN codes 4401 and 44020,150,15

Or. en

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Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Retrieved
25 September 2026

Cite as

European Parliament (2022). “DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a Council directive restructuring the Union framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (recast)”. Text, 7 March 2022. docId AGRI-PA-719785. EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/AGRI-PA-719785 (retrieved 25 September 2026). Data: EP Open Data API: document record, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/api/v2/documents/AGRI-PA-719785 (CC BY 4.0).
BibTeX
@misc{epw-text-agri-pa-719785,
  author = {{European Parliament}},
  title = {{DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a Council directive restructuring the Union framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (recast)}},
  year = {2022},
  date = {2022-03-07},
  howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/AGRI-PA-719785}},
  url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/AGRI-PA-719785},
  urldate = {2026-09-25},
  publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
  note = {Text. docId AGRI-PA-719785. Data: EP Open Data API: document record (CC BY 4.0)}
}