ASAJA denounces that the new EU-Morocco trade agreement "violates international law" and generates unfair competition.

 

ASAJA has raised the alarm over the European Commission, strongly denouncing the "express" renewal of the trade agreement between the European Union and MoroccoThe organization believes that this new pact, negotiated with the alleged connivance of member states such as Spain and France, reproduces the errors of the previous agreement, which was annulled by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and flagrantly violates international law and the principles of market equity.

 

During its participation in the Commission's Civil Dialogue Groups on Fruits and Vegetables and International Aspects, ASAJA expressed its "indignation" at the way the negotiations were conducted, which disregarded transparency and respect for current laws. The organization warns that the agreement not only omits key international commitments, such as compliance with the Paris Agreement, the Deforestation Law, and the environmental and social requirements imposed on European producers, but also perpetuates serious unfair competition.

 

Lack of Controls and Risk to Food Safety

 

One of the most critical points highlighted by ASAJA is the lack of improvements in the coordination of border controls. The organization regrets that products treated with pesticides banned in the EU continue to be allowed into the EU due to "poorly effective" inspections. According to data from the Commission itself, only 0.0082% of imports are inspected at customs, a level that, according to ASAJA, "calls into question food safety" and a level playing field in the market.

 

Furthermore, the agreement does not include any guarantees regarding labor or social rights, which directly harms farmers in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and France, who are required to strictly comply with EU regulations.

 

During its participation in the Civil Dialogue Groups on Fruits and Vegetables and International Aspects of the Commission, ASAJA expressed its "indignation" at the way in which the negotiation was carried out.

 

"Cynical" Use of European Funds and the Question of Western Sahara

 

ASAJA accuses the European Commission of engaging in a "political balancing act" that avoids consulting the Sahrawi people. The organization denounces the "cynical" use of European funds to finance the modernization of agricultural infrastructure in the occupied territories, favoring the production and export of products that "unfairly" benefit from tariff preferences.

 

The agricultural association reminds Brussels that it is aware of the "triangulation" of products from Western Sahara that Morocco has introduced in the past into its allocated trade quotas to avoid tariffs and rules of origin.

 

Given this situation, ASAJA reiterates its total rejection of the agreement and makes a direct appeal to the European Parliament and MEPs to flatly reject its ratification, arguing that the agreement compromises European food security, violates the principle of equity and contradicts international resolutions relating to the status of Western Sahara.