DZWatch Exclusive: A controversial trade agreement between the European Union and Morocco is drawing sharp criticism, raising concerns about legality and its potential impact on European agriculture.
The Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables (FEPEX) has renewed its warning about the serious consequences of the recent EU-Morocco trade agreement, particularly concerning products originating from the disputed Western Sahara region. FEPEX urges the European Parliament to reject the agreement, citing legal violations and significant economic damage.
The core of the issue lies in the alleged disregard for a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued on October 4, 2024. This ruling affirmed the illegality of including products from Western Sahara in the partnership agreement with Morocco without the explicit consent of the Sahrawi people. According to FEPEX, the agreement, which provisionally came into effect, blatantly ignores this critical legal precedent.
The tomato sector committee within FEPEX emphasizes that the signed agreement fails to meet the consent requirement stipulated by the ECJ. The court has legally recognized Western Sahara and Morocco as distinct and separate territories, making the agreement a clear violation of European judicial rulings.
Furthermore, FEPEX criticizes the EU’s approval on November 26th of an amendment to Regulation 2023/2429, concerning the marketing standards for fruits and vegetables. This amendment allows products from Western Sahara to be marketed within the EU under regional designations like ‘Dakhla-Oued Eddahab’ and ‘Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra,’ instead of explicitly stating ‘Western Sahara’ as the origin. This practice, according to FEPEX, contradicts both ECJ decisions and established labeling rules that mandate the clear indication of the country of origin.
The federation warns that this situation will create unfair competition, especially in the tomato sector. Morocco stands to benefit from substantial European funding in vital areas such as water resources, irrigation, energy, and desalination, placing Spanish and European producers at a significant competitive disadvantage.
FEPEX views this development as a dangerous precedent, potentially altering general European regulations to favor products from a specific country, raising serious questions about fairness and the integrity of the EU’s trade policies.
