Brussels, 18/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The committee on agriculture of the European Parliament is arguing in favour of a rejection of the trade agreement between the EU and Morocco on agriculture and fisheries products.
In an opinion by the Italian MEP Lorenzo Fontana (EFD), which was adopted on 12 July by a majority of its members - 24 votes in favour, 14 votes against and two abstentions - the agriculture committee of the Parliament is urging the international trade committee not to give its blessing to the conclusion of the agreement with Morocco on the liberalisation of trade in agriculture and fisheries products. According to the opinion drafted by Fontana, any green light given to this agreement would open up the Community market to risks brought about by possibly negative economic repercussions. The agreement would immediately liberalise 45% of the value of Moroccan imports from the EU, compared to 55% of EU imports from Morocco. It also provides for the EU to have greater concessions in the fruit and vegetable sector, which represents 80% of its imports from Morocco. The agriculture committee is also concerned that EU environmental protection, working conditions, union protection, antidumping and food security standards are “not reciprocal” in Moroccan products imported to the EU, thereby presenting a threat for its competitiveness. Lastly, the MEPs stress their concern as regards the issue of the Western Sahara, and issues of systematic human rights violations.
The international trade committee, which has been asked to put a recommendation to the Parliament as a whole by the end of the autumn, held a discussion on this dossier on 13 July, which was attended by Moroccan Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Aziz Akhenouch. (E.H./transl.fl)