Asaja-Almeria met with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture to share the sector’s concern about the repercussions that the Trade Agreement with Morocco is having on Spanish fruit and vegetable production companies. The organization has been denouncing for a long time that it is causing the disappearance of the tomato sector and generating losses of around 750 million euro per year for the sector.
Asaja said they were surprised by the Ministry’s position to their request for the necessary revision of the current agreement, as the deputy director-general of Fruits and Vegetables of the Ministry let them know the Ministry and the Commission were not looking to review the agreement; in other words, after having lost 67 million consumers, the quota is immovable.
“In addition, there is a total lack of interest in clarifying matters related to the payment of tariffs by Morocco. The Ministry told us to go to Customs, to Industry, to Foreign Trade, which is the same as sending us to limbo,” Asaja stated.
The organization reminded the Ministry and the Government of Spain that this lack of transparency would only create mistrust of what happens at the borders with the products that arrive from this country, a priority partner of the EU. In addition, this neglect contributes to the fraud that Morocco has been carrying out to the Community Treasury for years, while community fruit and vegetable farmers’ taxes are increased.
Asaja regrets the Ministry’s position in the meeting and hopes the Spanish Government changes its way, starts supporting its farmers, and defending Spanish fruits and vegetables before the Commission.
Source: diariodealmeria.es