On Wednesday 26 November, MEPs decided not to reject the European Commission's delegated act imposing new labelling rules for agri-food products from Western Sahara. One more vote was needed to reach a majority of component members (360 votes) for the objection to the delegated act to be rejected (359 in favour, 188 against, 76 abstentions).
Following several judgments by the European Court of Justice, the European Commission and Morocco had to revise their trade agreement (see EUROPE 13721/15) to take account of two parameters of the agreement that did not comply with European law: the non-consent of the people of Western Sahara to the trade agreement, and the labelling of products from this region (see EUROPE 13497/12).
On this last point, the European Commission negotiated with Rabat to change the labelling of products from Western Sahara so that their origin is clear.
However, for a high number of MEPs, as well as several associations, the planned labelling is not sufficient, as it requires only the provinces of origin of the products to be indicated. Yet these provinces are not necessarily known to the public as belonging to the territory of Western Sahara, and the challenge is to ensure that products from this region are clearly distinguishable for consumers from those from Morocco.
However, as the EP did not muster 360 members to reject the delegated act, it may be maintained.
To see the objection adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/jnz (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)