Spanish fresh produce exporters have suffered a blow in their efforts to halt the ratification of the EU’s new agreement of association with Morocco, after the European Parliament’s International Trade Commission voted to back the deal.
At a meeting at the Brussels institution on 26 January, members of the trade grouping elected to vote in favour of the trade agreement, which has been fiercely contested by a wide variety of European agricultural bodies, including Spanish representatives.
Committee members, who have been studying the trade deal’s proposals for the further relaxation of restrictions on Moroccan imports, rejected the arguments of French MEP José Bové against the accord, instead recommending the ratification of the agreement.
Condemning the decision, Spanish federation Fepex claimed the committee had failed to evaluate the social and economic impact of the accord on Europe’s fresh produce sector, ignoring “abysmal differences” between Moroccan and EU food safety, social and environmental practices.
Despite the setback, Fepex said it remained hopeful that the deal would be rejected by MEPs when it comes before a full session of the European Parliament for ratification between 13-16 February.
