The European Commission (EC) has reportedly begun to investigate Spanish allegations that Moroccan tomatoes have been entering Europe at prices below minimum levels fixed by an agreement of association between the EU and Morocco.
The EC’s directorate of Taxation and Customs told news agency EFE that it was asking European member states to provide proof that Moroccan tomato exporters were paying the appropriate import taxes.
At the same time, the authorities said they would also seek “clarifications” of the different versions of the tomato import figures from the previous campaign.
According to the news agency, the EC is investigating the alleged breaches of the agreement in particular with customs officials in France, which receives 92 per cent of the Moroccan tomatoes that enter the European Union.
Spanish tomato producers have claimed that Morocco has consistently failed to comply with the treaty, both in terms of volumes and entry prices.
Representatives of Spanish regional fresh produce associations have delivered a formal demand to the European authorities, calling for action over what they describe as “fraudulent” tomato imports.
National export federation Fepex, Andalusian association Coexphal, Murcian organisation Proexport, Valencian association Fexphal and Fedex Aceto from the Canary Islands had earlier formally complained to the European Ombudsman over what they viewed as the European Commission’s inaction over the imports.
