Leading Spanish fresh produce federation has accused the French government of exacerbating the crisis that Spain’s growers are experiencing by announcing new controls for Spanish fruit consignments.

In a the wake of a series of attacks by French farms of lorries transporting Spanish stonefruit and other products over the two countries’ border, French agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire earlier this week announced a series of measures aimed at supporting French producers, including greater import controls.

However, Fepex claimed the new restrictions, which will include action against consignments that do not have a purchase order, would harm Spain’s export status and negatively affect Spanish fresh produce’s reputation for quality.

In a statement, the organisation described the minister’s declaration as “inadmissible” and urged the French authorities to “guarantee the free transportation of goods in its territory and across the EU”.