Brussels, 30/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the meeting of the Agriculture Council, Franz Fischler on Monday afternoon told Spanish press agency EFE that the EU and Morocco had concluded a political agreement on the renewing of the agricultural protocol of the association agreement between the two parties. Under the terms of this agreement, Morocco could sell a quota of 175,000 tonnes of tomatoes per season (October-May) on the Community market. This quota of 175,000 tonnes could be progressively increased by 15,000 tonnes in the following season (season 2004/2005), then by 30,000 tonnes in 2005/2006 and by 45,000 tonnes in 2006/2007. In four seasons, the Moroccan tomato quota would thus be 220,000 tonnes. In return, the Moroccan government (which had, up until last Friday, refused to make a new offer since last summer - EUROPE of 31 July 2003, p.5) has agreed to allow EU operators to export a cereal quota to a maximum volume of 1,060,000 tonnes per annum at a reduced customs duty of 38% of the tariff usually applied. The provisions of this agreement would enter into force with retrospective effect on 1 October, to coincide with the start of the new tomato export season. This agreement concluded at political level will be finalised at technical level, before the Commission presents an official text to be adopt by the Council of Ministers of the EU.