Andalusian producers criticise EU-Morocco agreement

The deal agreed between the EU and Morocco which planned to take affect in 2011, is likely to be opposed by the Fruit and Vegetable sector in Andalusia. The growers there are afraid that this kind of deal will end up backfiring.

The agricultural organisations in Spain have criticised the lack of border control to monitor the movement of Moroccan produce into the EU. An article published in El Pais recently underlined the increasing presence of Andalusian companies in Morocco. According to data from the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, 80% of strawberry production and 50% of tomato production in Morocco is turned out by Andalusian companies.

The deal agreed by the EU and Morocco will most affect the production of tomatoes and strawberries. The agreement is for a progressive increase to the amount of tomato imports from Morocco to be taxed at a lower rate by 52,000 tonnes progressively starting in 2010-2011 until 2014-2015. Overall, in four years, imports would increase from 253,000 to 285,000 tonnes. As for strawberries the agreement allows for an import quota to the EU of 3,600 tonnes exempt from customs taxes starting on April 1, and a reduction to customs taxes by half for 1,000 tonnes, from May 1-31. The current deal calls for a 100-tonne allowance for the month of April to which a lower rate is applied compared to the normal customs tax on imports of 7.7%.