The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has called on the European Union to provide compensation for farmers and growers most affected by trade liberalisation with countries such as Morocco, Turkey, Israel and Egypt.
In a report examining agricultural exports from Mediterranean countries outside Europe with which the EU has trade agreements, the committee stressed the need for support for European producers that have been adversely affected by the deals.
According to La Voz de Almería, the EESC singled out producers in the south of Spain, who it claimed would be affected by the greater opening of Europe to imports as a result of the EU’s recent agreement of association with Morocco.
The committee said that such trade agreements would lead to import tariff reductions, increasing the possibilities for export to Europe for fruit and vegetable products that compete with Spanish producers from Murcia, Andalusia and other regions.
Growers from Spain and France earlier this month urged the European Union and Morocco not to ratify their recently-agreed agreement of association until both sides are able to offer “cast-iron guarantees” over import controls.
At a meeting of the Franco-Spanish tomato committee, held on 11 February in Paris, leading producers from both countries also called on the EU and Morocco to put in place importation certification to improve customs controls for Moroccan tomatoes.
