Growers from Spain and France have urged the European Union and Morocco not to ratify their recently-agreed agreement of association until both sides are able to offer “cast-iron guarantees” over import controls.
At a meeting of the Franco-Spanish tomato committee, held yesterday (11 February) in Paris, leading producers from both countries also called on the EU and Morocco to put in place importation certification to improve customs controls for Moroccan tomatoes.
Spanish agricultural association Coag, which headed the Mediterranean country’s delegation at the meeting, stressed the need for import certificates as well as improved controls in both Spain and France in terms of volumes and product conditions.
In a statement, Coag’s head of fruit and vegetables, Andrés Góngora, criticised the “new concessions” granted to Morocco under the new agreement of association.
He claimed that the “complete liberalisation” of “sensitive” products, such as peppers, tomatoes, citrus, melons and watermelons, would aggravate the tough economic situation facing producers not just in Spain, but across Europe.
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