EU fruit and vegetable producers accuse Brussels of extending preferential treatment to products from Western Sahara

In a joint letter addressed to European ParliamentGroups such as COPA and COGECA, AREFLH, and EUCOFEL (of which FEPEX is a part), describe the recent events as "very alarming". agreement between the EC and MoroccoThis agreement, approved in October 2025, extends the tariff advantages of Moroccan products to products from Western Sahara, treating them as if they were Moroccan territory.

Criticism intensifies with the presentation of the new draft delegated regulation on origin labelling. Organizations denounce that the Commission has circumvented two rulings by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) from October 2024. These rulings specifically required that products from that region be labelled as originating from "Western Sahara."

Instead, the proposed amendment allows these products to be labelled with regional designations such as El Aaiún-Sakia El Hamra and Dajia-Used Eddahab, omitting the country of origin. European producers warn that this measure "deceives consumers"It ignores EU case law and sets a dangerous precedent for concealing the true origin of products.

Furthermore, they fear that this lack of transparency will erode consumer confidence in EU labelling standards. They also point out that the proposal delegates the issuance of certificates of conformity to Moroccan authorities, which "It weakens EU oversight." and raises serious doubts about compliance with European regulations.

Urgent appeal to the European Parliament

Given the seriousness of the situation, European producers have urged members of the European Parliament to vote against the new draft delegated regulation today during the plenary session. Their aim is for the plenary to support the objections to the proposal amending Delegated Regulation 2023/2429 on marketing standards.

At the same time, the organizations insist that the Commission has refused to address their demands for mirror clauses and robust safeguard mechanisms in the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. They argue that this leaves EU farmers vulnerable and subject to distorted competition, causing significant instability in the EU market.

Therefore, they conclude by requesting a complete and balanced renegotiation of the Association Agreement with Morocco to protect EU farmers, implement effective safeguards and ensure unrestricted respect for EU and international law.