Agroaldea
The organizers believe that the judgment that the production of companies established in Western Sahara, It should not have benefited from the trade concessions granted by the EU to Morocco.
In a press release, Agro-food cooperatives remember, late 2015, the General Court (TG) He issued a favorable appeal by the Polisario Front annulment of the decision of the EU Council of Judgment 08/03/2012 for which you sign the “EU Agricultural Agreement- Morocco”.
This first Judgment, partially annulled the Council decision and was based, first of all, in the Agricultural Agreement was applicable to the territory of Western Sahara. Immediately, the EU Council, accompanied by several Member States, like France or Spain, They brought in turn an appeal against the first judgment.
A year later, specifically the last day 21, the Court has ruled and corroborates the conclusions of the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU on the appeal that was submitted in September 2016:
for Cooperatives, the most important of this judgment is that the Court determines that Western Sahara is not part of “territory of the Kingdom of Morocco” So what, therefore, in accordance with international law, EU-Morocco agreements were not, and are applicable to Western Sahara (Agreement nor the EU-Morocco Association nor the EU-Morocco Agreement on the Liberalisation of trade in agricultural products and fisheries).
In addition, at the technical level, TJ sets aside the judgment of the General Court and, in consecuense, confirms the validity of the agreement. This cancellation occurs, precisely, by the Court consider that the General Court erred in interpreting those agreements did apply to Western Sahara. It is also why the Court of Justice of the EU declared inadmissible by the Polisario Front, lack of standing.
It is a sentence “Prickly and historical”, which should have consequences, among other- on vegetable exports to the EU under the “EU-Morocco Agreement”, an agreement that has led to a progressive increase in shipments of vegetables to the EU in recent years “causing the destabilization of the Community market”.
Agro-food cooperatives adds that “it follows” Judgment of the production of companies established in Western Sahara (which they have been specially developed in recent years) He should not have benefited in the past from the trade concessions granted by the EU to Morocco, as they have done de facto for years, with the consent and cooperation of the European Commission.
It also follows that, henceforth, the Commission should act to correct this malpractice, for the product from Western Saharan stop sold under liberalization agreement.
The European fruit and vegetable sector “You could then ask responsibilities” and countervailing measures to the EU, by the application of unduly Agreement in the past; in addition to requesting the Commission to establish the regulatory provisions, labeling, traceability, business registration and control necessary for, now, It ensures that the product originating from Western Sahara to the EU is not imported under the conditions of trade liberalization.