European farming body Copa-Cogeca has reiterated its opposition to a draft agreement on liberalising trade between the EU and Morocco, a deal which it warned would have a "catastrophic impact" on EU fruit and vegetable production, especially tomatoes.
Copa-Cogeca secretary-general Pekka Pesonen insisted said the group wanted the European Parliament and EU Ministers to be aware that the draft agreement, sent to them for approval on 16 September, would have a major impact on the European fresh produce market.
According to Pesonen, the proposed agreement entails the introduction of "significantly increased" import quotas for six sensitive products: tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, garlic, clementines and strawberries.
"Before considering an increase in quotas for sensitive products coming from Morocco, the European Commission should have evaluated the socio-economic impact of such an increase and brought in compensatory measures for traditional EU production areas," he commented.
"European fruit and vegetable producers have to conform to the highest standards in the world in terms of environmental protection, working conditions and food security, which imports to the EU do not have to comply with.".
He continued: "The fruit and vegetables sector has been in a state of crisis for the last twelve months. Turnover in the sector plummeted by 7.7 per cent in 2009, representing a loss of €5.7 billion.
"Copa-Cogeca has major concerns about the draft agreement and wants to remind the Commission, MEPs and Member States of the problems experienced with adherence to the existing agreement."
