Spanish tomato producers are garnering support for their opposition to the proposed EU trade deal with Morocco, agreed earlier this month by the European Commission.

The agreement needs to pass to the council and the European Parliament for approval but the Spanish tomato sector is deeply concerned it will lead to an influx of cheaper Moroccan tomatoes, damaging their position.

Murcia regional president Ramón Luis Valcárcel met last week with tomato sector representatives from regional producer-exporter association Proexport and national federation Fepex to analyse the situation. He will meet with EU parliament president Jerzy Buzek on Tuesday with a delegation from Proexport and Fepex.

A Fepex spokesperson said the situation was “difficult” and claimed Morocco was gaining increased concessions and not complying with agreements.