COAG Andalusia press conference

Spanish fresh produce association COAG Andalusia has announced the launch of a campaign against the ratification of the EU’s new agreement of association, which will focus on building local and country-wide support.

The Andalusia-based organisation claims that the revised trade deal, which has yet to be approved by the European Parliament, will “seriously prejudice” the interests of Andalusian producers if passed and threaten their future survival.

COAG said it would focus on promoting the presentation of motions by Andalusian provincial council and parliamentary deputies to gain support for the demand that the regional government of Andalusia, the Spanish national government and European MEPs “clearly reject” the agreement.

In a statement, the organisation said: “The progressive liberalisation of commercial transactions in the Euro-Mediterranean area without the existence of effective control mechanisms for entry prices and volumes is leading to the collapse of prices at origin, compromising the incomes and future of Andalusian producers.”