Spanish fresh produce federation Fepex has agreed to submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Commission for 'failing to act' over the alleged non-payment of import taxes by Moroccan tomato exporters.
Fepex’s Tomato Producers' Committee, which includes growers from Andalusia, Murcia, Valencia and the Canary Islands, has accused Moroccan exporters of 'fraud' and has claimed that the EC's 'inaction' has threatened the future of Europe's tomato sector.
In a statement, the group claimed that the EC's failure to tackle the problem had led to a loss of import taxes that has been estimated as totalling €24.1m.
Fepex also argued that the situation has led to a 'severe reduction' in the commercial value of Spanish and European-produced tomatoes during the times when cheaper imported products were available from Morocco.
The organisation has urged the European Ombudsman to adopt the 'necessary measures' to ensure that the EC takes action against the alleged non-payment of import duties, which it claims run contrary to Morocco's Agreement of Association with Europe.
Fepex said that Moroccan tomato imports to the EU had increased substantially over recent years, rising from 191,310 tonnes in 2004 to 305,542 tonnes last year.
