Brussels, 14/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Moroccan government has expressed its concern over the possible repercussions of the measure adopted on 7 April by the European Parliament's agriculture committee relating to the common market for fruit and vegetables (see other article). Meeting on Thursday in Rabat, the government listened to a speech by the minister responsible for agriculture and maritime fisheries, which identified the risk of this measure having a negative effect on his country's exports of tomatoes in particular.
Moroccan media reports state that the inter-professional federation of fruit and vegetable producers and exporters in Morocco is completely against this measure, which is being sent to the Council on Monday (the other article) for its approval. It has been stated in Morocco that, “if the customs clearance system for fruit and vegetable entering the EU changes, 30%-70% of Moroccan tomato exports could possibly be wiped out from this Monday, according to simulations carried out by the sector”. Secondly, “all Moroccan tomatoes would be excluded because their origin would no longer be considered as reliable”. The whole of the fruit and vegetable sector will “end up seriously affected, particularly cucumbers, courgettes and clementines”. According to these unofficial sources, “the whole of the sector could collapse” as a consequence, because “many have invested because of the European market. It is a severe blow and could prove fatal. Several thousands of jobs are under threat, indeed 100,000 or 150,000”.
The professional federation representing sector interests said in a press release on Sunday that it considers that “these new provisions constitute another obstacle to trade and is in total contradiction with the spirit and the letter of the Community Customs Code and of World Trade Organisation rules and the provisions appropriate to the different agreements between Morocco and the European Union. By imposing this new mechanism, the European Union has just amended the framework for applying these agreements”.
The media, reporting these unofficial opinions, have further and asked whether Morocco is not “being specifically targeted” by these measures. “The scope is certainly wide ranging because they affect all third countries but the pressure exercised by groups of European producers in competition with Morocco has been identified by Moroccan fruit and vegetable sector professionals.” Hence the clearly expressed question of “whether we should believe Europe in the future”. This feeling of defiance comes on top of the similar feeling expressed over the past few weeks regarding the deep and comprehensive free-trade agreement (DCFA) currently being negotiated, which is also seen unfavourably by both the private sector and professional bodies. (FB)